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BX  9211  .W5  W47  1875 
Presbyterian  Church  in 

Westfield,  N.J. 
Westfield  Presbyterian 

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^        ^<:^!iiziii  ^B 


WESTFIELD  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  MINORITY 


AGAINST 


THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  ELIZABETH. 


APPEAL. 


Case  Prepared  by  Minority,  Appellants. 


New  York: 

BROWN   &   HEWITT,    PRINTERS,   9    SPRUCE   STREET. 

1875. 


ERRATA. 

Page  10,  note  :  Whole  number  of  elders  should  be  ten. 

Page  15,  folio  4,  line  3 :  Read  seconded,  instead  of  "  recorded." 

Page  21,  note  :   *  refers  to  Exhibit  E,  appendix. 

Page  34,  folio  1,  line  I :  Read  third,  instead  of  "  second."    The  second 
petition  is  found  on  page  125,  Exhibit  W. 

Page  35,  note:   Exhibit  U  should  be  Exhibit  W. 


,-?^' 


INDEX. 


-♦♦•- 


PAGE. 

Appeal  and  Complaiut  to  Presbytery,  No.  1  (Minority) 52 

Appeal  to  Synod,  No.  1  (Minority) 20 

Appeal  and  Complaint  to  Synod  (Dr.  S.  S.  Sheddan) 7 

Appeal  and  Complaint  to  Presbytery,  No.  2  (Minority)  Note 29 

Appeal  to  Synod,  No.  2  (Minority) 25 

Brown,  Rev.  Theo.  S.  (Letter  of  ) 133 

Brown,  Rev.  Tbeo.  S.  (Letter  to) 132 

Bruen,  Rev.   James  M.  (Letter  of) 126 

Clark,  James  O.  (Brief  of)  , 115 

Clark,  Mrs.  Hannah  M.  (Petition  of) 127 

Clark,  Ephriam,  Elder  (  Petition  of ) JO 

Commissioners,  Presby terial  (Minutes  of ) 82 

Do.  do.  (Report  of) 87 

French,  Mrs.  Phoaby  (Letter  of) 43 

General  Assembly,  application  to  go  to 130 

Refusal  of  Presbytery 131 

Goodrich,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Letter  of ) 42 

Kiuch,  Dr.  F.  A.  (Brief  of) 69 

Kinch,  Dr.  C.  A.  (Letter  of ) 64 

Do.         do.         (Minutes  of,  as  Clerk) 66 

Lawrence,  John  T.  (Brief  of ) 106 

Minute  of  Synod   6 

Minutes  of  Parish  Meeting,  January  28th,  1874 62 

Do.  do.  do.        June  11th,  1874 65 

Do.  do.  do.        (Revised) 67 

Do.  do.  do.        Nov.  30th,  1874 101 

Minutes  of  Presbytery,  July  7th,  1874 58 

Do.  do.  Certificate  of  Dr.  Rankin  concerning 60 


VI 

PAGE. 

Minutes  of  Presbytery,  July  27tli,  ]H74 16 

Do.                 do.            Nov.  9th,  1874 75 

•    Do.                 do.            Dec.  7lh,  1874 78 

^i^                                  Do.                 do.            Dec.  <Jtli,  1874 80 

Do.                 do.            April  211,  187r) J31 

McKelyey,  Rev.  Alexander,  (Report  of  Minority  Committee  to)...  61 

Do.         do.           do.         Troubles  in  Patersou,  iVofe 38 

Do.         do.           do.         Remark  of,  A'oie 45 

Do.         do.           do.         Pro])ositions  to 40 

Do.         do.           do.         Trouble  with  Elders 36 

Mott,  Dr.  Geo.  S.  (Letter  of) 37 

Petition  No.  J 10 

Do.      No.  2 125 

Do.      No.  3 34 

Do.      No.  4 -   42 

Do.      No.  5 43 

Do.      No.  6 127 

Protest,  Note 31 

Do.      Replyto 103 

Rankin,  Dr.  Jno.  C,  (has  furnished  all  papers) 105 

Do.       do.       do.      (Certificate  of) 60 

Ripley,  Chauncey  B.  (Brief  of ) 119 

Service  of  Appeal  (admission  of)   49 

Sheddan,  S.  S.,  D.  D.  (Complaint  of ) 7 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 


The  following  case  is  arranged  in  three  parts,  viz. : 

Part  First,  from  page  one  to  page  twenty-five,  is  in- 
troductory, and  contains  a  history  of  the  ease  from  its 
origin  to  the  time  when  a  second  appeal  was  taken  from 
the   action   of  the   Presbytery   of  Elizabeth. . 

Part  Second,  from  page  twenty-five  to  page  forty- 
nine,  is   the   basis   of  the   present   application   for   relief. 

Part  Third,  from  page  forty-nine  to  the  end,  is  the 
Appendix,  containing  papers  referred  to  in  the  first  and 
second   parts,  but   not   previously   recited. 

The  case  has  been  printed  by  the  Appellants  for  the 
convenience  of  those  who  may  sit  in  its  review  in  the 
higher  judicatories   of  the   Presbyterian   Church. 

In  the  arrangement  of  the  case  for  the  printers, 
the  suggestions  of  clergymen  who  have  had  experience 
in  conducting  other  cases  of  the  kind  have  been  re- 
lied on.  Exhibits  Z  and  ZZ,  images  129  and  130,  in 
tlie  Appendix,  indicate  the  fact  that  the  preparation  of 
the  case  thus  early,  was  because  of  the  purpose  of 
the    Appellants    to    go    to    the    General    Assembly    this 


Vlll 


present  month  of  May.  The  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth, 
however,  declined  to  consent,  as  the  latter  Exhibit  re- 
ferred  to   shows. 

One  further  observation,  as  prefatory  to  this  case,  is 
due  to  Appellants,  the  Minority  of  the  Westfield  Pres- 
byterian Church:  Every  paper  of  importance  in  the 
case  on  their  part,  and  every  important  step  taken  in 
the  conduct  of  the  case,  has  first  been  the  subject  of 
consultation  and  advice  with  discreet  and  experienced 
clergymen  of  our  own  or  other  Presbyteries ;  and  there 
is  no  act  of  the  Minority  in  this  entire  matter  that 
has  not  had  the  sanction  of  such  advisers  in   advance. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  KIPLEY, 
FREDERICK  A.  KINCH, 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 
JAMES  0.  CLARK, 

On  hehidf  of  the  Miiiority. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  May,  1875. 


€mt  m\  ^nud. 


IN  THE  MATTER   OF  THE  CALL- 
ING AND  INSTALLING  OF  REV. 

ALEXANDER  McKELVEY  OVER  f  StalemcJit  of  Case,  with 
THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH  \      Record  of  Action  of 
AT  WESTFIELD,  NEW  JERSEY.  [         Church  Judicatories.   ^ 
APPEAL  OF  THE  MINORITY  OF 
CHURCH  AND  CONGREGATION. 


This  matter  came  before  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  at 
their  last  annual  session  in  Camden,  October,  1874. 

In  the  "Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey,"  pub- 
lished by  order  of  the  Synod  under  the  direction  of  the 
Stated  Clerk,  date  of  Wednesday,  October  21,  1S74,  ap- 
pears the  following  :  3 

"  The  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Shed- 
"  dan,  D.  D.  and  others,  against  the  action  of  the 
"  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  in  the  Westfield  Church  case 
"  was  presented  and  referred  to  the  Judicial  Com- 
"  mittee." 

The  /ippeal  and  Complaint  of  Chauncey  B.  Ripley  and 
F.  A.  Kiuch,  M.D.,  on  behalf  of  themselves  and  others,  a 
minority  of  the  church  and  congregation  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Westfield,  also  against  the  action  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  was  presented  and  referred 
to  the  Judicial  Committee. 
1 


These  two  cases  were  before  the  Judicial  Committee 
at  the  same  time,  and  were  considered  together  as  "  re- 
lating: to  the  same  general  matter."' 

The  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan, 
D.  D.  and  others  was  designated  by  the  Judicial  Com- 
mitttee  as  Judicial  Case  No.  2,  and  found  to  be  in  order 
*'■  as  a  compiaint.''' 

The  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  Chauncey  B.  Ripley 
and  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  was  designated  by  the  Judicial 
Committee  as  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  and  '■'found  to  be  in 
the  form  nf  an  appcal.^^ 

The  Judicial  Committee  so  reported.  The  following 
is  an  extract  of  the  published  JMinutes  of  the  Stated 
2   Clerk  of  Synod  : 


Extract  of  Minutes  of  Thursday,  October  22,  1S74. 

"  The  Judicial  Commitiee  reported  Judicial  Case  No. 
"  2,  the  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Shed- 
"  dan,  D.  D.  and  otliers,  members  of  the  Pi'esbytery 
''  of  Elizabeth,  against  the  action  of  said  Piesbytery  at 
"  a  meeting  held  June  27th,  1S74. 

''  The  Committee  reported  the  case  to  be  in  order  as 
"  a  Complaint,  and  recommended  that  Synod  proceed  to 
"  issue  it  as  such  in  the  following  manner,  viz,  : 

"  1.  That  the  Complaint  be  read  as  setting  forth  the 
"  action  complained  of,  together  with  the  reasons  of 
"  the  complainants. 

"  2.  That  the  Pioceedings  of  the  Presbytery  relating 
'•  to  the  case  be  read. 

"  3.  That  the  original  parties  be  heard. 

"  4.  That  the  Roll  of  Synod  be  called,  and  an  oppor- 
"  tunity  be  given  to  each  member  of  Synod  to  express 
"  his  0[)inion  on  the  case. 

"  5.  That  the  final  vote  be  taken  whether  to  sustain 
"  or  not  sustain  the  complaint. 


'•  The  Committee  further  reported  that  a  paper  re- 
"  ferred  to  them  (Judicial  Case  No.  3),  relating  to  the 
"  same  general  matter,  they  found  to  be  in  the  form  of 
"an  Appenl  by  Chauncey  B.  Ripley  and  F.  A.  Kinch  ^ 
"  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  others,  a  minority  of  the 
"  congregation  of  Westtield,  These  persons  appealed 
"from  the  rulings,  decisions,  resolutions,  and  proceed- 
"  ings  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  at  a  meeting  held 
''  July  7th,  1S74,  and  set  forth  their  reasons  in  due  form, 
"  accompanying  the  same  with  voluminous  documents 
"  which  the  Committtee  had  read  and  considered.  The 
''  Committee  recommended — 

"  1.  That  so  much  as  constitutes  the  appeal,  viz.,  pages  2 
"  one  to  four,  inclusive,  be  read  before  8ynod  as  setting 
"  forth  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  and  the  reasons  of 
"  the  parties  thereby  aggrieved. 

"2.  That  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  relating 
"  to  the  case  be  read. 

"  3.  That  the  original  parties,  Chauncey  B.  Ripley 
"  and  F.  A.  Kinch,  for  themselves  and  others,  and  the 
"  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  be  heard. 

"4.  The  original  parties  having  been  heard  and  with- 
"  drawn,  that  the  roll  of  Synod  be  called,  and  an  oppor- 
"  tunity  given  to  each  member  to  express  his  opinion 
"  on  the  case. 

"5.  That  the  final  vote  be  taken  whether  to  sustain 
"  or  not  sustain  the  appeal. 

"  The  recommendations  of  the  Committee  were 
"  adopted. 

*^  Bcsolvcd,  That  the  hearing  of  these  judicial  cases  be 
"  the  second  order  of  the  day  for  the  afternoon  session. 

"  The  second  order  of  the  day,  which  was  the  com-  4 
"plaint  of  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  D.  D.,  and  others,  vs. 
"  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  was  taken  up. 

"  The  Moderator  solemnly  announced  from  the  chair 
"  that  the  Synod  was  about  to  pass  to  the  consideration 


"  of  Judicial  business,  and  enjoined  upon  the  members 
"  to  recollect  and  regard  their  high  character  as  judges 
"  of  a  high  court  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  solemn  duty 
"  in  which  they  were  about  to  act.  The  consideration 
"  of  the  case  was  then  proceeded  with  in  the  following 
"  order : 

"  1.  The  complaint  of  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  D.  D.,  and 
"  others,  against  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Eliza- 
"  beth  was  read. 

"  2.  The  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery 
"  relating  to  the  case  was  read. 

"  3.  The  original  parties  were  then  heard  until  the 

2  <'  hour  for  recess. 

"  After  the  recess  : 

''  4.  The  consideration  of  the  judicial  case  was  re- 
"  sumed,  and  the  committee  appointed  to  defend  the  ac- 
"  tion  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  was  fully  heard. 
"  The  members  of  the  inferior  judicatory  were  also  heard 
"  in  explanation  of  the  grounds  of  their  decision. 

"  5.  The  calling  of  the  roll  to  give  each  member  of 

3  "  Synod  an  opportunity  to  express  his  opinion  on  the 
''  case  was  commenced,  pending  which  the  Synod  ad- 
"  journed  until  Friday  morning  at  S^  o'clock." 


Extract  of  Minutes  of  Friday,  October  23,  1S74. 

"  The  unfinished  business,  which  was  the  considera- 
"  tion  of  the  complaint  ot  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  D.  D. 
"  and  others,  against  tht;  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  was 
"  taken  up.  The  calling  of  the  roll  to  give  members 
^  "  of  Synod  an  opportunity  to  express  their  opinion  in 
"  the  case,  was  continued  and  completed. 

*'  7.  The   final  vote   was   then  taken,  and  the   com- 
"  plaint  was  sustained. 


"  Members  voting  to  sustain  the  complaint,    -     -     -  58 
"  Members  voting  not  to  sustain  the  complaint,     -     -    17 

"  Rev.  E.  R.  Craven,  D.  D.,  Rev.  S.  M.  Hamill,  D.  D.  1 
"  and  Rev.  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.,  were  appointed  a  com- 
"  mittee  to  bring  in  a  minute  for  the  adoption  of  the 
"judicatory,  setting  forth  its  decision  and  tlie  grounds 
"  thereof. 

"  The  Appeal  of  C.  B.  Ripley,  F.  A.  Kinch,  and  oth- 
"  ers,  against  the  action  and  decisions  of  the  Presbytery 
"  of  Elizabeth  was  then  taken  up. 

"  The  Moderator  enjoined  upon  the  members  of 
"  Synod  to  '  recollect  and  regard  their  high  character  as 
"judges,'  etc.  2 

"  1.  The  papers  setting  forth  the  action  of  the  Pres- 
"  bytery  of  Elizabeth  and  the  grievances  of  the  com- 
"  plainants  were  read. 

"2.  The  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery 
"  re'lating  to  the  case  were  read. 

"  3.  Members  of  the  Judicatory  who  had  been  re- 
"  quested  by  the  appellants  to  aid  them  in  conducting 
"  their  case  were  then  heaid,  until  the  hour  for  devo- 
"  tional  exercises  had  come.  After  prayer  by  Dr.  Miller, 
"  it  was 


3 


^'Resolved,  That  the  order  in  regard  to  devotional  ex- 
"  ercises  be  suspended,  and  the  consideration  of  the 
"judicial  case  be  continued  for  half  an  hour. 

"  At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  it  being  understood 
"  that  the  conmiittee  appointed  to  bring  in  a  minute  re- 
"  hi  ting  to  the  con^plaint  of  Dv.  Sheddan  and  others, 
"  was  prepared  to  make  a  report  which,  if  adopted  by 
"  tiie  Synod,  might  supersede  the  necessity  of  further  4 
"  prosecuting  the  judicial  case  then  pending,  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  prosecution  of  the  appeal  of  C.  B. 
"  Ripley  and  others  be  arrested. 


"  The  committee  appointed  to  bring  in  a  minute  to 

"  be  adopted  by  the  Judicatory  setting  forth  its  decision 

"and  the  grounds  thereof  in  the  case  of  the  complaint 

^    "  of  Dr.   Sheddan    and   others,   presented    their   report, 

*'  which  was  accepted. 

"  The  appeUants  in  the  case  of  C.  B.  Ripley  and  oth- 
"  ors,  which  related  to  the  same  matters  of  which  Dr. 
"  Sheddan  had  complained,  expressed  their  assent  to  tiiis 
"  report  as  meeting  their  wishes  in  uhe  matter,  where- 
"  upon  the  report  was  adopted,*  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  Synod  sustains  the  Complaintt  and  the  Ap- 
"  peal, I  the  force  of  this  judgment  being  not  to  reverse 
"  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  and  declare 

2  *'  the  proceedings  void,  but  the  Synod  judge  that  the 
"  Presbytery  was  irregular  and  unduly  hasty  in  its  ac- 
"  tion  in  the  matter  of  the  installation  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
"  McKelvey,  and  in  disregarding  the  rights  and  priv- 
"  ileges  of  the  minority  of  the  congregation  of  Westfield, 
"  and  also  the  opinion  of  the  minoiity  of  the  Presbytery. 

"  In  view  of  all  the  facts  the  Synod  directs  the  Pres- 
"  bytery  of  Elizabeth  to  reconsider  their  action  in  the 
"  whole  matter,  and  after  giving  a  full  hearing  to  the 
"majority  and   minority  of  the  congregation   of  West- 

3  "  field,  to  determine  whether  the  pastoral  relation  of  the 
"  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  to  tlie  church  and  congregation  of 
"  Westfield  shall  be  continued  or  dissolved." 

The  Judicial  Cases  Nos.  2  and  3,  to  wit,  the  Com- 
plamt  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sheddan  and  otiiers,  and  the  Appeal 
of  Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  and  others,  are 
to  some  extent  inseparably  connected.  Tliey  were  so 
regarded  by  the  parties  prosecuting  them,  and  the  Ju- 
dicial Committee  took  the  same  view.     The  Synod  also 

4  recognized  the  fact. 


*  Unanimously  adopted. 

t  Complaint  of  Eev.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  D.  D.  and  others. 

X  Appeal  of  Chauncey  B.  Kipley,  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  and  others. 


As  introductory  therefore  to  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  the 
case  now  especially  under  consideration,  and  for  the 
reasons  above  suggested,  we  Irere  state  the  case  of  Dr. 
Sheddan,*  Judicial  Case  No.  2,  in  full. 

[Here  follow  the  papers  read  before  the  Synod 
(in  Judicial  Case  No.  2,  the  Complaint  of  Rev. 
S.  S.  Sheddan,  D.  D.,  against  the  Presbytery 
of  Elizabeth)  in  the  order  in  which  they  were 
read,  as  directed  by  the  Judicial  Committee  of 
Synod.] 

First,  the  Clerk  of  Synod  read  the  complaint,  as  fol- 
lows : 


2 


APPEAL  AND  COMPLAINT 

OF 

REV.     S.    S.    SHEDDAN     AND    OTHERS, 
MEMBERS  OF  THE   PRESBYTERY  0F| 
ELIZABETH,      TO     THE      SYNOD     OF^ 
NEW  JERSEY,  FROM  THE  ACTION  OF, 
THE    PRESBYTERY    OF    ELIZABETH, 
AT    A    MEETING    OF     SAID     PRESEY-^ 
TERY,  HELD  JULY  27TH,  1874,  IN  THE 
FIRST    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    OF 
WESTFIELD,  N.  J. 


Your  complainants,  pursuant  to  a  notice  given  during 
the  session  of  said  Presbytery,  do  appeal  from  and  com- 
plain of  the  action  of  said  Presbytery  on  the  following 
grounds  : 


*  The  minority  of  the  Church  and  congregation  of  Westfield  filed  4 
no  Complaint  and  Appeal  against  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Eliz- 
abeth, July  27th,  187-1,  under  the  advice  and  at  the  suggestion  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Sheddan,  he  regarding  his  own  Complaint  and  Appeal  as  covering 
all  points  and  protecting  all  interests  of  the  minority  of  the  Church 
and  congregation,  as  well  as  those  of  the  minority  of  the  Presbytery. 


1.  That  the  Moderator  ruled  as  out  of  order  a  ques- 
tion of  privilege  as  to  the  IcgaUly  of  (his  mectivg — raised 
under  Article  15,  Section*  3,  Chapter  7,  Book  2,  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith. 

2.  That  the  decision  of  the  Presbytery,  refusing  by  a 
vote  of  15  to  14  to  grant  a  stay  of  yroceed'mgs,  based  on 
the  ground  of  an  appeal  and  complaint  having  been 
made  by  a  large  minority  of  the  congregation  of  the 
Piesbyferian  Church  of  Westfield,  from  the  action  of  the 
Presbytery  at  its  meeting,  July  7,  1S74,  was  in  direct 
violation  of  Article  15,  Section  3,  Chapter  7,  Book  2,  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  contrary  to  the  rulings  of 
the  General  Assembly  on  this  point. 

(See  Moore's  Digest,  page  5S9.) 

3.  That  the  Presbytery  refused  to  receive,  or  permit 
to  be  read,  a  Remonstrance*  fron^  a  large  minority  of  the 
congregation  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  West- 
field,  against  the  installation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey,  until  after  the  vote  on  the  installation  was 
taken,  said  remonstrance  being  presented  before  the  mo- 
tion to  install  was  made;  which  refusal  was  contrary  to 
the  rules  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  rulings  of 
the  General  Assembly. 

(See  Moore's  Digest,  page  543.) 

4.  That  the  rights  of  the  minority  in  the  congrega- 
tion were  not  regai'ded  by  the  Piesbytery  accoi'ding  to 
the  spirit  of  Pi'esbyterian  polity,  as  shown  in  Book  1, 
Chap.  15,  Sec.  5  ;  also  as  shown  by  decisions  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembl3s  requiring  pastoral  relations  to  be  dis- 
solved on  application  of  minorities. 

(See  Moore's  Digest,  pp.  420  and  421.) 

5.  That  the  installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 
w'as  upon  a  divided  vote  of  the  Presbytery,  as  follows, 
viz.  : 

*  The  Remonstrance  or  Petition  follows  the  Coniphiint  below. 


1.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  in  Westminster 
Church  in  Elizabeti),  July  7,  1S74,  permission  was  given 
to  the  Com.Tiissioners  of  the  Westfield  Church  to  pros- 
ecute the  call  by  a  vote  of  16  to  10, 

2.  The  vote  to  install  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  in 
Westfield,  July  27,  was  fairly  expressed  by  the  vote 
of  15  to  14,  refusing  a  stay  of  iiroceedings. 

3.  It  was  against  the  Remonstrance*  of  132  members 
of  that  congregation. 

4.  It  was  against  the  remonstrance  of  four  of  the 
members  of  the  Session  of  said  church,  who  refused  to 
sign  the  call. 

6.  That  the  installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 
in  the  face  of  a  minority  of  the  voters  of  that  congrega- 
tion, comparing  as  S  to  10 — in  the  face  of  a  mnjori/ij  of 
the  church  members— and  in  the  face  of  two-thirds  of  the 
benevolence  of  the  church,  was  both  unjust  and  unwise. 

Your  complainants  and  appellants  pray  the  Synod  to 
review  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth, 
and  take  such  action  as  shall  be  for  the  interests  of 
Presbyterianism,  lor  the  spiiitual  good  of  the  church  at 
Westfield,  and  fur  the  good  name  of  the  Church  of 
Christ. 

July  30,  1874, 


S.  S.  SHEDDAN, 
E.  H.  REINHART, 
AARON  PECK. 


Called  Petition,  infra. 


JO 


Second,  the  Clerk  of  Synod  read  the  petition  or  re- 
monstrance referred  to  in  Dr.  Sheddan's  comphiint,  and 
known  as  the  petition  of  Ephraim  Chirk  and  others,  as 
follows  : 


PETITION 

OF 

Ephraim  Clark 
and  others 

TO    THE 

Presbytery   of 
Elizabeth. 


Westfield,  Friday,  July  24,  1874. 
We  hereby  certify  that  at  a  regular  meeting 
of  the  minority  held  this  day  the  folloicing  pe- 
tition was  reported  and  unanimously  adopted. 
CHAUNCEY  B.   RIPLEY, 

Chairman. 
CHARLES  A    KINCH, 

Secretary. 


Dashing  Ridge,  N.  J.,  July  31,  1874. 
I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  true  copy 
of  the  Certificate  at  the  head  of  a  petition  pre- 
sented to  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  at  West- 
field,  on  the  27th  mst.,  by  the  above  persons 
and  others. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Clerk. 


PETITION 

To  (he  Presbytery  of  EUzoheth,  Neio  Jersey  : 

The  petition  of  Ephraim  Clark,  Francis  R.  Baker,  Jo- 
seph Cory,  Dr.  Frederick  A.  Kinch,  Henry  Baker, 
Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  Dr.  Charles  A.  Kinch,  James  O. 
Clark,  John  T.  Lawrence,  William  St'.tt,  Zopher  Het- 
field,  Robert  French,  A.  A.  Starr,  James  French,  Mul- 
ford  M.  Scudder,  and  Agur  L.  Roff",  of  Westfield,  New 
Jersey,  respectfully  shows  : 

That  your  petitioners  are  members  of  the  church  and 
congregation  of  Westfield,  N.  J.,  and  that  four  of  our 
number  are  elders  of  said  church.* 

That  at  a  meeting  of  the  minority  (so  called)  of  said 
church,  held  on  Monday,  the  20th  inst.,  in  view  of  the 
proposed  installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  your 
petitioners  were  appointed  a  Committee  for  the  fol- 
lowing purposes,  to  wit  : 


Wbole  numbei'  of  elders  eight. 


u 


1.  To  n)eet,  on  due  notice,  at  the  residence  of  Isaac 
H.  Pierson,  Esq.,  the  committee  appointed  to  subscribe 
the  call  to  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  for  the  purpose 
of  "reasoning  together"  according  to  the  teachings  of  ^ 
the  New  Testament,  in  the  matter  which  at  present  so 
seriously  disturbs  our  church.  The  report  of  that  in- 
terview is  annexed  hereto  and  marked  A. 

(See  Exhibit  A.,  page  15,  po5^) 

2.  Your  petitioners  were  especially  instructed  to  pre- 
pare and  presenc  to  your  body,  on  behalf  of  the  minor- 
ity, a  petition  praying  that  all  further  proceedings  in 
the  direction  of  settling  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 
over  the  Westfield  church  be  stayed,  at  least,  until  the 
hearing  of  our  appeal  before  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey, 
and  ihe  determination  of  the  same,  and  that  your  peti- 
tioners submit  the  reasons  therefor. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  that  such  stay  be 
granted,  and  for  the  folio v/ing  reasons  : 

I.  Such  stay  is  not  inconsistent  with  the  previous  de- 
nial of  a  similar  application. 

Resolution  of  Presbytery,  July  7,  1S74  (see  Minutes, 

Exhibit  E,  Appendix) : 
"  On  motion,  ^ 

''Resolved.,  Whereas  the  minority  of  Westfield  church 
"  have  asked  a  stay  of  proceedings  ;  therefore,  resolved, 
"  that  this  body  decline  at  this  time  to  grant  their 
"  request." 

II.  An  Appeal  to  the  Synod  has  been  duly  taken,  and 
involves  a  stay  of  proceedings. 

"  The  necessary  operations  of  an  appeal  is  to  sus- 
pend all  further  proceedings." — Pres.  Dig.,  p. 
589,  §  XV.  Case  of  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Craig- 
head, who  by  direction  of  Synod  was  deposed  ^ 
— b\it  this  could  not  be  done  constitutionally 
because  of  the  appeal. — Pres.  Dig.  p.  5S9  (No. 
J),  XV.  Case  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hunter — stay  im- 
plied.— Moore's  Pres.  Dig.  420. 


12 


III.  The  Presbytery  placed  the  call  in  the  hands  of 
Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  allowing 
him  to  exercise  his  discretion  ;  if  j\Ir.  McKelvey  has  not 
exercised  a  ivlse  discreiion,  it  is  not  too  hite  for  the  Pres- 
bytery to  suggest  it  in  u  resolution — or  to  suspend  any 
further  step. 

Thr  resolution  of  Presbytery,  July  7,  is  as  follows  : 

''  That  the  commissioners  bearing  the  call  to  Pres- 
bytery Jiavc  leave  to  proscciUc  the  same.'^ 

Of  those  that  voted  in  Presbytery  on  the  7th  inst., 

2  sixteen  voted  fur  the  resolution,  and  ten  voted  against  it. 

Several  who  voted  for  it  declared  on  discussion  that 
if  it  were  a  question  of  whether  or  not  Mr.  McKelvey 
should  acceyt,  they  would  not  vote  aye. 

IV.  This  meeting  is  to  consider,  first,  whether  "the 
wa^J  he  clear ''^  to  install.  Your  petitioners  urge  that  the 
way  is  not  clear.     Because — 

The  number  of  those  called  the  minority  is  hirger 
than  on  the  7th  July,  by  several,  who  have  signified  a 

3  desire  to  sign  tlie  paper  protest  filed  with  the  Appeal  Roll. 

Because  the  minority  have  not  become  reconciled, 
as  some  members  of  Presbytery  supposed  on  the  7th  inst. 

Because  the  minority  are  less  likely  to  become  recon- 
ciled than  heretofore.  The  minority  supposed  on  the  7th 
inst.,  and  prior  to  that  date,  that  Mr.  McKelvey  was  not 
fully  acquainted  with  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  op- 
position to  himself  on  the  part  of  the  minority,  whereas 
it  appears  by  testimony  of  his  own  intimate  friends  that 
he,  Mr.  McKelvey,  knows  in  detail  just  who  are  opposed 
to  him,  and  for  what  reasons — he  having   gone  over  a 

4  list  of  the  opposition  with  his  friends,  and  inquired  and 
been  informed  who  each  one  opposing  is;  his  standing 
and  influence  in  the  community  and  chui'ch,  and  minute- 
ly his  objections  to  the  pastoral  relation  proposed. 


13 


Wliile  the  minority  were  charitable,  before  the  last 
meeting  of  Pi-esbytery,  in  supposing  Mr.  McKelvey  in  a 
false  position,  ignorant  of  the  true  state  of  things,  they 
now  are  satisfied  that  lie  puiposes  to  come  to  a  people 
who  do  not  want  him,  and  will  not  contribute  cheer- 
fully in  any  degree  to  his  support. 

The  minority  now  blame  Mr.  McKelvey  more  than 
any  other  for  the  undue  prosecution  of  this  call.  What 
before  was  the  absence  of  a  liking  for  the  man  has 
grown  to  be  a  positive  dislike. 

V.  The  pastoral  relation  will  be  dissolved  on  applica- 
tion of  a  minority. 

By  parity  of  reasoning,  hovt'  much  more  should  Prrs-  ^ 
bytery  refuse  to  create  the  relation,  a  sufficient  minority 
resisting. 

(Moore's  Pres.  Dig.  pp.  420,  421.     Case  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Hunter.) 

The  Presbytery  first  dissolved  the  relation  on  iietition 
of  less  than  one  four  ih  the  members  of  the  congregation. 

The    minoiity,  too,  had  lost   their  right  to  vote  by 
reason   of  absence    and  failuie   in   contributinij  to   the 
support   of  the   church,  and  the   majority  presented  a   3 
counter  petition  to  Pi"esbytery. 

The  Synod  reversed  the  decision  of  Presbytery  on  ac- 
count oi  dcfciencu  (f  records. 

A  new  application  was  made  to  Presbytery  by  same 
minority,  and  the  application  refused  by  small -majority. 

On  appeal.  Synod  reversed  the  decision  of  Presbytery 
unanimously. 

Afterwards  the  General  Assembly  affirm  the  decision 
of  Synod,  and  the  relation  is  dissolved. 

VI.  Your  petitioners  further  show  that  the  interests  4 
of  the  Presbyteiian  church  and  society  at  Westfield  will 
greatly  suffer  in  case  of  further  prosecuting  the  settling 
of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey.     The   minority   v^'ill   not  leave 


14 


the  church,  but  remain  for  the  protection  of  their  rights  ; 
they  will  contribute  to  its  support,  but  not  liberally  nor 
cheerfully.     They  will  treat  the  pastor,  (if  Mr.  McKel- 

1  vey),  with  politeness,  but  not  with  affection  and  respect. 

VII.  The  interests  of  the  community  will  greatly  suf- 
fer by  forcing  the  proposed  installation.  The  efTects  of 
dissatisfaction  will  be  felt  in  eveiy  dwelling-house  and 
place  of  business  in  Westfield. 

VIII.  The  Presbyterian  Church  at  large,  and  the  cause 
of  religion  itself  will  sufFei-,  and  reproach  be  thus  cast 
upon  those  who  are  in  no  way  responsible. 

IX.  An  escape  from  all  our  troubles  could  be  accom- 

2  plished  by  the  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKel- 
vey.      The    Presbytery    should    recommend    this    by    a 
resolution  to  that  effect,  on  the  ground  of  cxjicd/cjicy. 
The  interests  of  one  man  should   not  stand  against  the 
interests  of  many. 

Your  petitioners,  therefore,  on  behalf  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two  members  of  the  Westfield  church  and 
congregation,  piay  that  all  proceedings  may  be  stayed, 
or  Mr.  McKelvey  recommended  to  retire.  And  your 
petitioners  will  ever  pray. 

Westfield,  July  24,  1874. 

(Signed) 


J 


Elders. 


EPHRAIM  CLARK, 
HENRY  BAKER, 
JOSEPH  CORY, 
F.  R.  BAKER, 
ROBERT  FRENCH, 
J.  LAWRENCE  CLARK, 
ALFRED  A.  STARR, 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 

E.  HARBISON, 
AGUR  L.  ROFF, 
WILLIAM  STITT, 
JOHN  D.  JAQUES, 
JAMES  M.  FRENCH, 

F.  A.  KINCH, 
CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 
JAMES  O.  CLARK, 

M.  M.  SC  UDDER. 


15 


EXHIBIT   A, 

Referred  to  in  foregoing  Petition.  ^ 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  July  20,  1S74. 

At  a  joint  meeting  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
subscribe  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  and  a 
committee  of  a  corresponding  number  from  the  minor- 
ity (each  committee  embracing  sixteen  members),  held 
at  the  residence  of  Isaac  H.  Pierson,  Esq.,  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Session  of  Westfield  Presbyterian  Church,  pres- 
ent— Dr.  Charles  A.  Kinch,  James  O.  Clark,  William 
Stitt,  Agur  L.  Roff,  Robert  French,  Eldcrs-J ose'ph  Cory,  2 
Francis  R.  Baker,  Ephraim  Clark,  Henry  Baker  and 
Isaac  H.  Pierson  (the  latter  being  at  home  and  present, 
but  not  participating),  Chauncey  B.  Ripley. 

The  meeting  was  organized  at  8  o'clock  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  Elder  Joseph  Cory  chairman,  and  Chaun- 
cey B.  Ripley  secretary. 

The  meeting  was  opened  by  prayer.  Elder  Henry  Ba- 
ker officiating.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  stated 
to  be  for  the  purpose  of  "  reasoning  together,"  if  possible, 
on  the  disturbed  state  of  the  church.  Statement  made  3 
by  the  secretary.  Views  were  freely  expressed  on  that 
subject.  Satisfactory  evidence  of  our  notice  of  the 
meeting  to  all  members  of  such  committee  was  given 
(except  as  to  Stewart  E.  Clark),  by  Elder  Ephraim 
Clark,  who  notified  the  Session,  and  Mr.  Robert  French, 
whose  son  notified  the  trustees  (except  Stewart  E.  Clark), 
the  other  committee  being  notified  at  a  meeting  of  the 
minority. 

It  was  also  reported  that  many  of  the  committee  on 
subscribing  the  call  had  signified  their  intention  not  to 
attend — and  few  of  them  were  present.  The  following  * 
resolution,  with  preamble,  was  offered,  and  on  motion 
duly  made  and  recorded  was  carried,  no  one  opposing, 
Elder  Isaac  H.  Pierson  not  voting. 


16 


Whereas,  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  contemplate  the 
installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  on  Monday 
next,  and  whereas,  in  our  judgment,  one  half  of  the 
church  and  congregation  of  Westfield  at  least  are  hon- 
estly and  earnestly  averse  to  such  act,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  w^e  deem  it  highly  inexpedient,  and 
clearly  against  the  best  interests  of  the  church  and  com- 
munity of  Westfield,  and  the  cause  of  religion  generally, 
for  the  Presbytery  to  proceed  farther  in  the  proposed 
settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  over  this  church. 

Adjourned. 

JOSEPH  CORY, 

„  Chairman. 

Chauncey  B.  Ripley, 

Secretary. 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  true  copy  of  a 

paper  attached  to  the  Petition  of  Ephraim  Clark  and 

others,  said    petition   and   accompaniment  having   been 

presented  to  Presbytery  on  the  27th  inst. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Staled  Clerk. 
Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  July  31,  1S74. 
3 


Third,  the  clerk  of  Synod  read  the  Minutes  of  Pres- 
bytery relating  to  the  case,  as  follows  : 

Minutes  of  Peesbytery  Meeting  of  July  27,  ]S74. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  July  27,  1S74. 

Presbytery  met  at  the  call  of  the  Moderator,  and  was 
opened  with  prayer. 

Present — Rev.  J.  G.  Williamson,  Moderator,  Bond, 
Read,  Wilson,  Sheddan,  Street,  Rankin,  Kempshall, 
Plumley,  Reinhart,  Roberts,  Peck,  Parry,  Miln,  Blau- 
velt,  Roberts,  Scribner,  Brown,  Bliss,  Pierson,  and 
Cory. 


2 


17 


Ruling  Elders  Present — James  S.  Hill,  Basking  Ridge  ; 
Dcivid  Gilmour,  Metuchen  ;  Samuel  Milliken,  Plainfield 
1st;  A.  Leeson,  Plainfield  2d  ;  J.  Edwards  Marsh,  Eliz- 
abethport  :  Peter  V.  Servis,  Elizabeth  2d  ;  Benjamin 
Ogden,  Elizabeth  3d  ;  William  Littell,  Summit  Central  ; 
Jonathan  Woodruff,  Rahway  2d  ;  Reuben  Van  Pelt, 
Roselle  ;  John  Crane,  Connecticut  Farms  ;  Joseph  Ran- 
dolph, Rahway  1st ;  Jonas  E.  Marsh,  Elizabeth  1st ;  Job 
S.  Williams,  Cranford  ;  J.  C.  Ammerman,  Westfield. 

On  inquiry,  it  was  found  that  the  Presbytery  had 
been  regularly  called,  and  for  the  following  purpose, 
viz. :  "  If  the  way  be  clear  of  receiving  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey,  and  installing  him  pastor  of  the  churcfi  in 
Westfield." 

The  Rev.  H.  W.  Teller,  of  the  Middlesex  Association, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  ,  and  the  Rev. 

Alexander  McKelvey,  of  the  North  Classis  of  Long  Isl- 
and, were  invited  to  sit  as  corresponding  members. 

By  request,  the  Minutes  of  the  Special  Meeting  of  the 
Presbytery  held  July  7,  inst.,  were  read  for  the  informa- 
tion of  Presbytery. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Peck  raised  the  question  of  privilege, 
that  this  Presbytery  cannot  proceed,  because  an  Appeal 
made  in  the  case  of  the  call  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  3 
McKelvey  to  become  the  pastor  of  Westfield  Church, 
suspends  all  proceedings.  The  Moderator  decided  this 
not  to  be  a  question  of  privilege.  Whereupon  it  was 
moved  and  seconded,  that  the  proceedings  of  this  Pres- 
bytery be  stayed  on  the  ground  that  a  Complaint  and 
Appeal  from  its  decision  at  the  special  meeting  of  July 
7th  has  been  taken  to  Synod,  and  certified  to  by  the 
Moderator. 


This  motion  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  fourteen  for,  and 


4 


fifteen  against  it. 


18 


A  certificate  from  the  North  Classis  of  Long  Island, 
dismissing  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  to  this  body, 
was  presented  and  read. 
^  Mr.  ]!i[cKelvey  was  examined,  to  the  satisfaction  of 
Presbytery,  and,  on  motion,  was  received  as  a  member 
of  this  body. 

The'  call  of  the  Westfield  church  and  congregation  to 
Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  to  become  their  pastor  was  then 
read,  found  in  order,  and  placed  in  his  hands  by  the 
Moderator. 

Mr.  McKelvey  signified  his  acceptance  of  the  same, 
and  on  motion  it  was 

2  "  Ficsohcd,  That  Presbytery  will  proceed  to  his  install- 
"  ation  this  evening  at  7:45  o'clock,  in  the  following 
"  manner,  viz.  :  The  Moderator  to  preside  and  propose 
"  the  usual  questions,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  C.  Roberts  to  preach 
"  tlie  sermon,  Mr.  Rankin  to  give  the  charge  to  the 
"  pastor,  and  Mr.  Brown  the  charge  to  the  people. 

Dr.  Sheddan  gave  notice  that  he  should  complain  and 
appeal  to  Synod  against  the  action  of  Presbytery  in  this 

case. 

3  Presbytery  then  took  a  recess  until  7:45  o'clock  this 
eveninii;. 


7:45  P.  M. — Presbytery  met  after  recess,  and  installed 
Mr.  McKelvey  pastor  of  the  church  and  congregation  of 
WestfiehJ,  agreeably  to  the  arrangements  previously 
made. 

A  petition  of  Ephr;iim  Clark  and  others,  members  of 
the  cliuich  and  congregation  ot  Westfield,  which  had 
been  laid  on  the  Moderator's  table  in  the  afteinoon,  was 
taken  up,  and  on  motion  it  was 

'' Becolvcd,  Th'dt  the  consideration  of  this  petition  be 
''  deferred  until  the  next  stated  meeting  of  Presbytery." 


10 


The  Moderntor  reported  tlint  he  had  received  an  Ap- 
peal and  Complaint  against  the  action  of  tiiis  body  on 
the  7th  inst.,  taken  to  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  by 
Chauncey  B.  Ripley  and  others,  and  the  papers  were 
put  into  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Minutes  were  read  and  approved,  and  Presbytery 
adjourned. 


Closed  with  prayer. 


JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Slated  Cleric. 


I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  held  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Westfield  on  the  27th  inst. 

JOHN   C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Cleric. 

Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  July  31,  1S74. 


20 


We  now  come  to  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  vvliich 
we  also  state  in  full,  as  heard  before  Synod 
in  1S74. 

First,  the  Clerk  of  Synod  read  the  following: 


IN  THE  MATTER  OF  THE  PRESBY- 
TERIAN CHURCH  IN  WESTFIELD— 
BEING  AN  APPEAL  BY  THE  MI- 
NORITY OF  THE  CONGREGATION  | 
OF    THE     WESTFIELD     PRESDYTE 


RIAN  CHURCH  TO  THE  SYNOD 
OF  NEW  JERSEY,  AGAINST  THE 
ACTION  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF 
ELIZABETH,  AT  A  MEETING  OF 
THAT  JUDICATORY,  HELD  JULY  7, 
1874,  AT  WESTMINSTER  CHURCH, 
ELIZABETH,  N.  J. 


A 


Notice  of  Appeal 
and  Reasons. 


To  Rev.  J.  G.  Williamson,  Moderator  of  the  EUznhcth 
Prcsbijtcrij,  at  a  meeting  held  Juhj  llh,  1S74,  in  West- 
minster C/airch — held  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
relations  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKclcey  to  said  Wcstfcld 
Church : 

You  will  please  take  notice  that  we  hereby  appeal 
from  the  rulings,  decisions,  resolutions,  and  proceedings 
at  such  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  and  from  each  and 
all  of  them,  as  follows,  and  for  the  following  reasons: 

I.  The    meeting  of  the    Presbytery  held    July  7th, 
1S74,   had    no  jurisdiction    of  our  case,  the   notice   re- 
quired by  the  rules  not  having  been  given. 
Moore's  Pres.  Dig.,  17S,  §  X. 
Postal  Card  of  Moderator  (1)  ;* 
"  "  (2);t 

Certificate  of  Clerk  of  Session  (3).| 


*  See  Appendix,  Exhibit  A. 
t     "  "  "        B. 

i    •'         "  "      c. 


21 


IT.  The  participation  and  votes  of  Dr.  E.  Kempshall 
vitiiited  the  resolutions  and  all  tiie  judicial  acts  of  the 
Presbytery,  he  having  been  Moderator*  of  the  judicatory 
whose  acts  were  under  review. 

Moore's  Pres.  Dig.,  p.  607,  VII. 

III.  The  complainants  and  appellants  submitted  to 
the  Presbytery  appealed  from  at  least  nine  distinct 
points  with  specificationst  and  that  judicatory  passed 
upon  them  as  a  whole,|  which  was  error.  They  should 
have  been  taken  up  and  passed  upon  separately. 

IV.  Each  and  every  point  was  decided  adversely  to 
the  complainants  and  appellants,  whereas  each  point  2 
should  have  been  decided  favorably  to  the  complainants 
and  appellants,  i.  c,  the  proceedings  had  at  the  parish 
meeting  in  Westfield,  June  11th,  should  have  been  set 
aside  as  irregular,  and  the  election  of  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey  should  have  been  declared  void  and  unconsti- 
tutional, and  the  manner  of  fixing  the  salary  hasty  and 
improper,  and  the  addition  of  the  parsonage  sliould  have 
been  held  by  the  Presbytery  a  nullity,  for  the  reasons 
assigned  at  the  hearing  before  the  Presbytery,  which 
are  hereto  annexed,  forming  a  part  of  this  appeal. §  3 

And  all  the  relief  asked  of  said  Presbytery  by  the 
complainants  and  appellants  should  have  been  granted 
on  the  case  then  and  there  presented. 

V.  The  moving  parties  complain  and  appeal  because 
the  Presbytery  refused  a  stay  of  proceedings  on  due  ap- 
plication of  the  appellants, II  on  the  ground  that  the  case 

*  See  Proceecling's  of  Presbytery  helow,  as  read  befoi'e  Synod, 
t  See  Appendix,  Exhibit  D,  Complaint  of  minority  to  Presbytery 
t  See  Exhibit  E,  Appendix — Miantes  of  Presbyterj',  July  7,  1874.  4 

§  See  in  Appendix,  Exhibit  D,  Complaint  of  minority  from  parish 
meeting  of  June  11,  1874,  to  Presbytery,  July  7,  1874. 

II  See  Minutes  of  meeting  of  Presbytery,  July  7,  1874,  and  resolution 
offered  by  Dr.  Kempshall  refusing  stay  of  proceedings,  Exhibit  E,  Ap- 
pendix. 


I 


2.2 


might  be  more  complicated  while  the  Appeal  is  pend- 
ing, and  before  the  final  adjudication  of  the  questions 
at  issue. 

Moore's  Pies.  Dig.,  p.  5S9,  XV.,  and  case  cited. 

VI.  The  resolutions  passed  by  the  Presbytery  July 
7th  were  unwarranted,  and  are  not  sustained  by  the 
case  as  presented,  as  shown  by  the  case  itself  annexed.* 
The  said  resolutions  and  the  said  IMinutes  beinc;  also  an- 
nexed,  and  forming  a  part  of  the  Appeal  roll.* 

July  9,  1S74. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
DR.  F.  A.  KINCH, 

For  AppcUants  and  Complainants. 


ADDITIONAL  POINTS.! 

VII.  Undue  haste  was  indulged  in  presenting  the  call 
to  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  tlie  candidate,  who  was 
in  a  side  room  of  the  Westminster  church,  or  near  at 
hand,  having  been  produced  by  Rev.  Dr.  Kempshall  be- 
fore the  Presbytery  at  once  after  the  vote  was  taken 
and  the  call  placed  in  his  hands,  the  said  Kempshall 
urging  his  acceptance  of  the  same,  under  protest  of  one 
of  the  members  of  the  Presbytery,  to  wit.  Rev.  Dr. 
Sheddan,  the  protest  being  made  duly  and  the  ground 
stated.l 

VIII.  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  was  not  a  member  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  at  the  time,  nor  of  any  Presby- 
tery, and  the  course  pui'sued  was  improper  and  uncon- 
stitutional under  the  lules  of  goveinment  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church — besides,  it  was  an  act  of  discourtesy  to 

*  See  Exhibits  D  and  E,  Appendix. 

+  These   two  additional  points,  VII  and  VIII,  above,  were  added  at 
the  suggestion  of  Dr.  S.  S.  Sheddan. 
t  See  Exhibit  F,  in  Ajjpeudix,  Certificate  of  Dr.  Eankin,  Stated  Clerk. 


23 


the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  to  which  Rev.  Mr.  McKel- 
vey  belonged,  and  to  the  Classis  of  which   he  was   at 
that  time  a  member,  thus  to  disregard  the  rules  of  the 
two  churches  and  the  established  practice  under  those   ^ 
rules,  the  objection  being  properly  taken.* 
July  14,  1874. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
DR.  F.  A.  KINCH, 

For  Appellants  and  Complainants. 

Second,  the  Clerk  of  Synod  read  Exhibit  E,  set  forth 
in  full  in  the  Appendix,  being 

The  Minutes  of  Presbytery,  July  7,  1S74  (see  Appen-   2 
dix). 

Third,  the  Clerk  of  Synod  read  Exhibit  F,  set  forth  in 
full  in  tlie  Appendix,  being 

Certificate  of  Dr.  Rankin,  Stated  Clerk  of  Presbytery 
of  Elizabeth  (see  Appendix). 

Fotirth,  Exhibit  D  was  read  and  referred  to  during 
the  hearing  before  Synod,  being 

Complaint  of  Minority  of  Westfield  church  and  con- 
gregation to  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  (see  Appendix,   3 
Exhibit  D). 

Fijih,  Exhibit  G  was  read  and  referred  to  during  the 
hearing  before  Synod,  being 

Report  of  a  Committee  of  the  Minority  to  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey,  setting  forth  their  objections,  with  no- 
tice of  tlieii-  intention  to  present  the  matter  before  Pres- 
bytery (see  G,  Appendix). 

Sixth,  the  brief  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  was  read  and  re- 
ferred to  before  Synod,  being  the  outlines  of  his  argu-  ■* 
ment  at  Piesbytery  of  Elizabeth,  July  7,  1874,  which  is 
found  in  the  Appendix,  and  marked  Exhibit  L. 

*  See  Exhibit  F,  in  Appendix,  Certificate  of  Dr.  Rankin,  Stated  Clerk. 


24 


After  the  reading  of  the  foregoing  pnpers  before 
Synod  (many  of  them  were  read  on  the  hearing  of  Ju- 
dicial Case  No.  2,  Dr.  Sheddan's  Complaint),  the  Synod, 
without  argument,  except  a  partial  opening  of  the  case 
by  Rev.  K.  P.  Ketcham,  sustained  the  Appeal  of  the 
Minority  of  the  Westfield  church  by  a  unanimous  vote 
of  Synod  in  the  adoption  ot  the  Minute  given  on  page  6, 
suj)ra. 

The  case  having  been  thus  referred  back  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Elizabeth  for  reconsideration,  that  body  sub- 
sequently took  such  action  in  the  matter  as  appears  by 
the  following  Exhibits,  which  are  given  in  the  Appen- 
dix : 
2 

Exhibit  M,  being 

The  Stated  Cleik's  Record  of  all  the  acts  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Elizabeth  from  the  adjournment  of  Synod, 
October,  1S74,  to  22d  March,  1875  (see  Exhibit  M,  Ap- 
pendix). 

Exhibit  N,  being 

Minutes  of  the  several  meetings  of  a  Presbyterial 
Committee  or  Commission  in  this  matter. 

3        Exhibit  O,  being 

Report  of  Presbyterial  Committee  or  Commission. 

Exhibit  P,  being 

Minutes  of  Congregational  Meeting,  November  30, 
1S74,  at  Westfield. 

Exhibit  Q,  being 

Reply  of  Commissioners  to  protest  filed  Nov  30. 


I 


25 


THE 


SECOND     APPEAL 


THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  ELIZABETH. 


The  following  presents  the  stains  of  this  case  on  a 
second  appeal  from  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  to  a 
higher  judicatory  ot  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch  : 


Sijiiod  of  New 
New  Jersey. 


IN    THE    MATTER    OF    THE    CALLING 
AND  INSTALLING   OF   REV.  ALEXAN- 
DER McKELVEY  OVER  THE  PRESBY- 
TERIAN    CHURCH     AT    WESTFIELD, 
NEW  JERSEY,  AND   THE   EECONSID-[   ^^"^V'-'""'^     ^"^" 
ERATION      OF     THE      PROCEEDINGS \       ^/'F'^"  ^'^  '''-'^ 
UNDER    THE     DIRECTION    OF    THEJ 
SYNOD    OF    NEW    JERSEY,    INCLUD-' 
ING    ALL    PROCEEDINGS    RELATING 
THERETO    FEOM    JUNE    II,    1874,   TO 
DATE,  DECEMBER  16,  1874. 


The  minority  of  the  church  and  congregation  of  West- 
lield  complain  and  appeal  to  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey, 
because, 

4 


4 


26 


First,  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  though  directed  by 

the  Synod  to  reconsider  its  action  in  the  whole  matter 

of  the  callino;  and  installino-  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKel- 
1  .   .  .  . 

vey,  and  nf/cr  giving  a  full  hearing  to  the  minority  of 

the  congregation  of  Westfield  {ihc7i)  to  determine  whether 
the  pastoral  relation  should  be  continued'or  dissolved,* 
have  ^leglected  and  refused  to  comply  with  the  judg- 
ment so  directing. 

The  Presbytery  reconsidered  i7i  pari  only,  and  then 
decided  to  continue  the  relation — which  was  hasty,  er- 
roneous, and  unjust  to  the  minority. 

Specification  :  In  our  complaint  to  Presbytery  from  the 
parish  meeting  of  June  11,  at  which  Mr.  McKelvey  was 
elected,  nine  distinct  points  of  objection  were  taken.t 

On  appeal  to  the  Synod,  every  point  was  sustained  ; 
among  them  the  following  : 

The  freedom  of  speech  was  suppressed  :  Illegal  votes 
were  cast :  The  salary  was  irregularly  and  hastily 
fixed  ;  the  act  was  void,  as  appears  by  the  Minutes  of 
palish  meeting,  June  11  :  The  times  of  payment  of  the 
salary  were  not  legally  fixed,  and  that  act  was  void  : 
The  attempted  disposition  of  the  parsonage  was  held  a 
nullity  :     The  Moderator  of  the  parish  meeting,  June  11, 

3  neglected  and  refused  to  comply  with  <§>  5,  Chapter  XV., 
Book  of  Government — exhorting  the  minority,  and  not 
attempting  to  dissuade  the  majority  :  Theie  was  no 
unanimity  shown  on  the  final  vote:  A  motion  to  recon- 
sider was  not  entertained  :  The  Minutes  of  a  previous 
meeting,  containing  resolutions  embodying  an  agree- 
ment between  those  in  favor  of  and  opposed  to  Mr. 
McKelvey  were  not  allowed  by  the  Moderator  to  be 
read  on  due  call,  and  the  candidate,  Mr.  McKelvey,  was 
impropei'ly  I'eproduced. 

Eveiy  act  of  tht   pai'ish  meeting  of  June  11  should 

4  have  been  considered  over  again,  including  tliose  above 
recited. 

*  See  ante,  page  6,  Syiiodical  Miuute. 
t  See  AppeudijL,  Exhibit  D. 


27 

The  Presbyterial  commissioners  appointed  under  the 
direction  of  Synod  to  rehear  the  minority  and  m<ijoi'ity 
on  the  cases  presented  at  the  last  meeting  of  Synod  (Jn- 
dicial  Cases  Nos.  2  and  3),  during  their  sittings  in  West-  ^ 
field,  inquired  of  the  representatives  of  the  minority  if 
they  would  consent  to  go  into  a  parish  meeting  with 
Dr.  William  C.  Roberts  (their  chairman)  for  Moderator, 
the  sole  question  befoi'e  that  meeting  to  be,  "Shall  the 
relation  of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  with  your  church  be  con- 
tinued or  dissolved,  and  the  vote  to  be  yes  or  no 
without  discussion  ?  " 

To  tins  the  minority  answered  unanimously  (by  their 
committee  of  four),  we  cannot  consent  to  the  iiroiyosilion. 
To  the  Moderator  named  we  make  no  objection,  but  '^ 
prefer  that  the  entire  Commission  attend  any  parish 
meeting  called  under  the  resolution  appointing  you.  But 
to  consent  to  the  suppression  of  free  speech  on  questions  and 
issues  pertinent  to  our  ordi)iarij  parish  meetings  we  cannot. 
And  reference  was  here  made  to  the  fact  that  we  liad 
been  to  Synod  on  this  very  question,  and  Synod  had 
sustained  us  in  the  right  we  claimed. 

The  minority,  by  their  Committee,  asked  to  be  fully 
heard  on  this  question,  should  the  Commissioners  con- 
template the  holding  of  a  parish  meeting  under  such  3 
restrictions.  The  Committee  of  the  minority  were  heard 
before  the  Commissioners  on  that  point  before  the  no- 
tice for  the  parish  meeting  was  presciibed,  and  protest- 
ed against  such  suppression  of  free  speech,  both  before 
the  Commissioners  prior  to  their  submitting  such  notice 
to  the  Session,  and  at  the  parish  meeting  subsequently 
held,  Nov.  30. 

Second,  the  minority  complain  and  appeal  to  Synod 
because  the  Presbyteiy  of  Elizabeth  afforded  them  no 
relief  in  answer  to  the  Petition  filed  with  then-  Clerk  4 
December  7,  which  Petition  prayed  for  a  dissolution  of 
the  pastoral  relation  of  Rev.  M'/.  McKelvey,  with  the 
reasons  therefor.    Also  because  the  Presbytery  refused  to 


28 


read  and  act  upon  such  Petition  before  deciding  the 
question  to  which  it  rehited,  such  Petition,  duly  signed 
by  the  Committee  of  the  minority  and  four  of  the  elders 
of  the  church,  having  been  filed  away  unread.  Also  be- 
cause the  petitions  of  Mrs.  French,  Mrs.  Clark,  and  Mrs. 
Goodrich,  members  of  our  church,  of  the  same  pur- 
port, >and  presented  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same 
manner,  were  similarly  disposed  of.* 

Tldrd,  the  minority  Appeal  and  Complain  because  the 
Presbytery  ratified  tlie  ruling  of  the  ]\Ioderator  of  our 
parish  meeting  30th  November,  that  all  delinquent  pew- 
holders,  and  those  subletting  pews,  not  having  their 
2  names  on  the  trustees'  books,  were  entitled  to  vote  ; 
while  many  voting  under  such  ruling  had  neither  attend- 
ed church  nor  paid  pew-rent  for  years,  nor  yet  were 
members  of  the  church.  Besides,  those  subletting  of 
delinquents,  and  paying  nothing  to  the  church  for  its 
support,  were  allowed  to  vote.t 

Fourth,  the  minority  Complain  and  Appeal  because 
the  Commissioners  failed  to  report  to  the  Presbytery 
important  and  material  facts  presented  by  the  minority 
to  wit,  facts  set  forth  in  the  briefs  of  Mr.  John  T.  Law- 

Q 

rence  and  James  O-  Clark,  which  briefs  are  hereto  an- 
nexed, and  made  a  part  of  this  Appeal  and  Complaint, 
and  marked  respectively,! — 

The  Petitions  of  the  minority  Committee,  and  of 
Mrs.  French,  Mrs.  Clark,  and  Mrs.  Goodrich,  are  also 
made  a  part  of  this  Complaint  and  Appeal,  which  also 
contain  important  points  not  reported  by  the  Commis- 
sioners (see  Petitions  of  Dec.  3,  yost). 

As  addditional  grounds  for  complaining  and  appeal- 


*  Tlie  Petitions  follow  below. 

t  Exhibit  P,  Appeudix. 

X  See  Appeudix,  Exhibits  E  aud  S. 


29 

Fifth,  Dr.  E.  Kempshall  voted  unci  participated  largely 
in  the  proceedings,  reviewing  his  own  acts,  at  the  meet- 
ings of  Piesbytery  December  7  and  8. 

1. 

Sixth,  after  the  Presbytery  had  passed  a  resolution  to 
continue  the  Dastoral  relation  of  Rev.Mr.McKelvey,  with- 
o\xc  reconsidering  at  all  the  question  of  salary — notwith- 
standing the  minority  had  urged  it  upon  the  Presbyterial 
Commissioners  at  their  meetings  at  Westfield,  and  had 
filed  their  Complaint  and  Appeal  from  the  parish  meet- 
ing, 30th  November,  with  the  Presbytery,  and  the 
Presbytery  had  refused  to  act  upon  such  Appeal  and 
Complaint — the  Stated  Clerk, Dr.  Rankin,  was  allowed  to 
append  to  such  resolution  another  resolution  (passed  sub-  2 
sequently  to  all  the  foregoing  proceedings),  to  the  effect 
that  the  question  of  salary  and  the  parsonage  be  recon- 
sidei'ed  next  April.* 

Sevejith,  the  minority  further  Complain  and  Appeal, 
because  their  Complaint  and  Appeal, t  lodged  with  the 


*  The  Parish  held  their  annual  meetiug  April  5,  1875,  and  neither  of 
those  questions  was  reconsidered. 


3 


tiN  THE  Matter  of  the  Parish  Meeting      ^        landComplaint 
HELD  AT  Westfield,  November  30,  1874,   V      ^j.  ^,^^  Minority. 
Presbyterian  Church. 

To  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  : 

The  minority  of  the  church  and  congregation  of  Westfield,  New  Jer- 
sey, Appeal  and  Complain  to  this  judicatory  because: 

The  parish  meeting  of  November  30,  1874,  was  called  and  conducted 
unconstitutionally. 

The  notice  under  and  by  virtue  of  which  it  was  called  reads  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  A  meeting  of  this  congregation  is  called  in  this  church  on  Monday,  No-- 
vember    30,  4.30    P.  M.,  to    vote   upon    the   question — Shall  the  pastoral    "* 
relation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  with  the  congregation  of  West- 
field  be  continued  1      The  vote  to  be  yes  or  no  WITHOUT  DISCUSSION." 

After  the  meeting  was  convened,  the  Moderator  caused  the  above  no- 


30 


Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  December  8,  at  Westminster 
Churcli,  Elizabeth,  though  duly  filed  within  the  pre- 
scribed ten  days,  and  asking  for  relief  to  wliich  we  w-ere 
entitled,  was  disposed  of  by  the  Presbytery  in  such  a 
way  as  to  afford  us  no  relief.  We  therefore  ask  Synod 
to  review  said  Appeal  and  Complaint,  and  the  Pi'otest 


tice  to  be  read  by  the  Clevk  of  the  Piesbyterial  Commission,  and  ruled 
that  no  discussion  would  be  allowed. 

The  Moderator  also  ruled  that  no  vote  would  be  taken  on  the  question 
of  salary. 

Appellants  and  Complainants  urge  : 

I.  That  this  parish  meeting  was  called  under  the  direction  of  the 
Synod  of  New  Jersey,  and  should  have  been  conducted  according  to  the 
letter  and  spirit  of  the  judgment  of  Synod,  as  shown  by  the  Minute 
(annexed  and  marked  A) — found  herein  on  p.  6,  supra  t.  c,  a  full  hearing 
should  have  been  given  to  the  minority  and  majority.  Especially  should 
this  liberty  of  free  speech  have  been  accorded  to  the  minority,  since  it 
was  the  subject  of  Complaint  and  Appeal  at  our  last  parish  meeting, 
and  the  Synod  declared  it  irregular  by  a  unanimous  vote  in  the  adop- 
tion of  the  Minute  annexed  (herein,  p.  6,  supra). 

II.  That  Synod,  in  directing  the  Presbytery  to  consider  over  again 
the  whole  matter,  directed  them  among  other  things  to  consider  over 
again  the  question  of  salary.  Especially  should  the  parish  have  been 
allowed  to  reconsider  the  salary  question,  since  the  fixing  of  the  salary 
of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  June  11,  1874,  was  irregular,  and  so  de- 
clared by  Synod  in  sustaining  the  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  the  minor- 
ity of  the  church  and  congregation  at  Westfield,  as  also  appears  by  the 
Minute  of  Synod  marked  A,  and  annexed  (page  6  supra).  The  at- 
tempted fixing  the  salary  is  void  and  illegal,  as  the  Minutes  of  the  par- 
ish meeting  of  June  11,  1874,  show  (see  Ex.  J  and  Ex.  K,  Appendix). 

The  calling  of  the  meeting,  and  the  ruling  of  the  Moderator  under  the 
call,  were  illegal  generally,  and  especially  so  under  the  direction  of  the 
Synodical  Minute  (annexed). — p.  (5  supra- 
Ill.  As  additional  reasons  for  appealing  and  complaining  to  Presby- 
tery, the  minority  annex  hereto  a  copy  of  their  Protest  and  Dissent, 
marked  B^  follows  this  Complaint,  filed  with  the  Clerk  at  the  meeting 
Nov.  30,  1874,  and  make  it  a  part  of  this  Complaint,  with  the  reasons 
thereof. 

IV.  The  parties  hereto  Appeal  and  Complain  also  because  the  Moderator 
neglected,  after  it  appeared  that  a  large  minority,  to  wit,  93,  were  averse 
to  the  candidate  in  the  majority,  to  endeavor  to  dissuade  the  majority 
from  insisting  upon  the  election  of  such   candidate,  contrary   to   the 


31 


annexed,  and  to  grant  us  the  relief  to  which  we  are  just- 
ly entitled,  and  for  wliich  we  therein  pruy,  and  we  make 
such  papers  a  part  of  this  Complaint  and  Appeal,  and 
pray  Synod  to  afford  us  the  relief  to  which  we  are  en- 
titled. 


Book  of  Government,  and  regardless  of  the  express  judgment  of  Synod 
heretofore  rendered  in  this  particular  case,  which  was  error. 

Wherefore  Appellants  and  Complainants  ask  for  such  relief  in  the 
premises  as  we  may  be  entitled  to,  and  as  may  be  just,  and  as  may  tend 
to  conform  the  proceedings  of  this  judicatory  to  the  late  decision  of 
Synod. — (p.  6  supra). 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  December  .3,  1874. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
DR.  F.  A.  KINCH 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 
JAMES  O.  CLARK, 

On  behalf  of  Minority. 
[This  Complaint  was  filed  in  open  Presbytery  December  8,  1874,  at 
Elizabeth,  and  the  following  Protest  was  annexed,  and  also  Synodical 
Minute  found  on  page  6,  above.] 


Dissent  and  Protest  of  the  Minority 
OF  the  Church  and  Congregation  of  I 
THE  Presbyterian  Church  of  West- 
field,  N.  J. 


B. 


To  Rev.  JVilliam  C.  Roberts,  D.  D.,  Moderator  of  the  Parish  Meeting,  and    ^ 
Presiding   Officer   of  the  Presbyterial  Commission,    other  members    of 
the  Commission,  and  the  Session  of  the  Westfield  Presbyterian  Church  : 
The  undersigned,  on  behalf  of  the  minority  of  this  church  and  con- 
gregation, respectfully  beg  leave  to  lodge  this,  our  Dissent  and  Protest, 
with  our  reasons,  in  the  hands  of  the  Clerk  of  this  meeting,  that  the 
same  may  be  entered  on  the  records,  and  be  sent  up  for  review  to  the 
Superior  Judicatories  of  this  Church. 

We  dissent  and  protest  against  the  phrase  ''  without  discussion"  in 
the  notice  prescribed  by  the  Presbyterial  Commission  on  which  this 
meeting  was  called.  We  also  dissent  and  protest  against  the  adoption 
and  enforcement  of  the  rule  suggested  and  involved  in  such  phrase, 
"  without  discussion  " 

We  understand  the  rule  implied  to  be, — That  no  member  of  the  church 
or  congregation  is  at  liberty  to  speak  to  the  question  proposed,  either />ro 
or  con,  nor  to  express  his  views  upon  the  subject  in  any  way  publicly 
at  such  meeting,  nor  to  explain  in  any  manner  his  reasons  for  voting 
on  the  one  side  or  the  other,  nor  to  submit  any  considerations  to  the 
parish  thus  assembled  as  to  the  rules  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the 


32 


Eighth.,  Appellants  and  Complainants  urge  that  on  the 
whole  case  as  heretofore  presented,  and  all  the  papers 

\  interests  and  welfare  of  our  own  church  and  parish,  the  expediency  or 
inexpediency  of  the  action  proposed — in  short,  that  the  ordinary  freedom 
of  speech  in  deliberative  assemblies  allowed  is  entirely  suppressed,  and 
our  time-honored  custom  of  reasoning  together  ih  these  matters  over- 
ruled. 

Our^reasons  for  dissenting  and  protesting  are  the  following  : 

1.  This  rule  is  in  contravention  to  the  liberality  of  the  Christian  religion 
and  our  republican  institutions. 

2.  This  rule  is  opposed  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  both  as  to  letter  and  spirit. 

3.  We  desire  to  explain  to  our  fellow-parishioners,  as  pertinent  to  this 
issue : 

That  the  receipts  for  pew-rents  and  other  incomes  of  the  church  are 
entirely  inadequate  to  the  prompt  and  full  payment  of  the  expenses  of 
our  church : 

That  in  its  present  disturbed  condition  the  receipts  are  diminishing, 
while  the  expenses  have  increased : 

That  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  have  reviewed  the  cases  involving  our 
present  troubles,  and  have  rendered  such  judgment  as  leaves  us  free  to 
act  in  voting  upon  this  issue,  thus  removing  the  scruples  of  many  who 
have  felt  bound  by  the  prior  action  of  Presbytery — deeming  opposition 
to  the  installation  as  insubordination  and  anti-prcsbyterian: 

That  unity,  harmony  and  brotherly  love  are  essential  to  the  spiritual 
and  temporal  prosperity,  growth  and  general  interests  of  the  church  : 

That  we  desire  the  good  of  the  church  and  congregation,  the  good  of 
the  whole  Church,  and  nothing  more — and  how  all  these  questions  may 
be  settled  by  the  action  of  this  meeting. 

3  We  also  desire  to  refer  to  the  Minutes  of  a  parish  meeting  held  Jan- 
uary 2iJ,  1874,  and  demonstrate  to  those  who  were  not  present  at  the 
time,  and  those  who  do  not  fully  understand  the  origin  and  nature  of 
our  difhculties,  how  tlie  people  of  this  parish  are  morally  bound  to  vote 
for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation,  because  of  such  resolutions 
and  the  agreement  therein  contained. 

We  desire  also  lo  explain  that  the  vote  upon  the  salary  at  our  last 
parish  meeting  was  illegal,  and  that  we  were  misled  by  the  ruling  of 
the  Moderator  then  presiding,  and  that  a  second  vote  upon  the  salary 
question  is  a  matter  which  will  yet  come  before  them,  and  which  may 
be  properly  considered  indirectly  in  casting  the  vote  of  to-day — and  liuw 
it  may  be  so  considered. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  Nov.  30,  1874. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 

4  DK.  F.  A.  KINCH, 

JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 
JAMES  O.  CLARK.* 


•  This  Disseut  and  Protest  w.:b  filed  with  the  clerk  at  the  Parish  meeting  of  No- 
vember 3C,  1874,  before  auy  votes  were  taken,  but  was  not  read  until  after  the  voting. 


3.3 


and  Minutes  on  file  with  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth 
and  with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod,  including  the  Com- 
plaint of  the  late  Dr.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  and  the  briefs  of 
Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch,  marked  L,  and  that  of  Chauncey  B. 
Ripley,  marked  T,  annexed,  the  Synod  should  dissolve  1 
the  relation  between  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  pastor 
of  the  Westfield  Presbyterian  church  and  said  Presby- 
terian church. 

December  16,  1S74. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 
DR.  F.  A.  KINCH, 
JAMES  O.  CLARK, 

On  behalf  of  the  Minority  of 

Wcsificld  Presbyterian  Church.   2 
5 


34 


The  followiiio;  is  a  Second  Petition  of  the  Westfield 
1 

Mirioiity  for  a  dissolution.     Tliis  Petition  was  filed  in 

open   Presbytery,  December   7,   1S74,  at   Westminster 

Church,  Elizabeth  : 


PETITION  OF  MINORITY  OF  WEST- 
FIELD  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  RE- 
FERRED TO  IN  THE  FOREGOING 
COMPLAINT. 


PETITION* 

To  llie  Presbytery  of  Elizahclh  : 

Your  petitioners,  the  minority  of  the  church  and  con- 
gregation of  the  Westfield  Piesbyterian  church,  respect- 
fully show —  « 

I.  That  numerically  your  petitioners  were  and  are  as 
follows  : 

At  the  election  held  in  our  parish  June  11,  1S74, 
when  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  and  Rev.  Mr.  Critten- 
den were  candidates,  eighty-eight  (SS). 

At  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  July  7  last,  as  repre- 
sented on  an  application  to  Presbytery  to  set  aside  the 
election  as  irregular,  one  liundred  and  twenty-two  (122). 

At  the  installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey,  July 
27,  one  liundred  i\ud  thirty-two  (132). 

On  obtaining  the  expression  of  the  parish,  Monday, 
the  30th  ultimo,  by  ballot,  ninety-three  (93) — the  dif- 
ference in  the  numbers  from  time  to  time  being,  in  our 
judgment,  mainly  owing  to  the  two  modes  of  obtaining 
the  expression,  to  wit,  one  by  the  circulation  of  a 
paper,  the  other  by  a  vote  at;  parish  meeting  ;  the  former 

*  Three  other  Petitions  were  filed  with  Presbytery  the  same  day,  and 
follow  this. 


35 


method,  for  obvious  reasons,  securing  the  larger  num- 
ber. 

Your  petitioners  further  show  th;it  the  whole  number 
of  votes  cast  on  the  30th  ultimo  was  272. 

For  dismissal 93 

Blank 2 

For  retaining  Mr.  McKelvey 177 

Showing  more  than  one-third  of  tlie  parish  in  favor  of  a 
dissolution. 

Your  petitioners  further  show,  that  they  have  filed 
with  Rev.  Theodoi'e  S.  Brown,  Cierk  of  the  Presbyterial 
Commission,  appointed  Nov.  D,  a  list*  of  forty-nine  heads  ., 
of  famihes  of  our  church  and  congregation  (such  list 
containing  also  the  names  of  many  who  are  legal  voters, 
but  not  heads  of  families),  all  of  w}n)m  have  expressed 
themselves  in  favor  of  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion over  such  signatures,  which  written  expression*  is 
also  on  file  with  the  Commissioners,  and  dated  Novem- 
ber 10. 

■  Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  that  the  pastoral  I'e- 
lation  between  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  and  the  Pres-  3 
byterian  church  at  Westfield  be  dissolved,  and  base 
their  application  on  the  numerical  opposition  that  exists 
and  has  existed  since  the  vote  of  the  parish  taken  at  the 
election  June  11,  1S74. 

The  General  Assembly  dissolved  the  relation  in  the 
case  of  Rev.  William  Hunter  and  the  church  at  Hope- 
\vell,  on  application  of  less  tluin  one-fourth  of  (lie  congre- 
gation, and  tliat  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  G-eneral  As- 
sembly. Besides,  the  majority  of  the  congregation 
united  with  the  pastor  in  a  petition  to  continue  it.  The 
small  minority  in  that  case  had  lost  tlieir  statics,  too,  by  4 
absence  from  communion  and  failure  to  contiibute  their 
just  proportion  to  the  su[»port  of  the  church. 

Moore's  Pres.  Dig.,  pp.  420  and  421. 

*  See  Exhibit  U,  Appendix. 


36 


It  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  in  adding  strength  to 
the  application  of  your  petitioners,  that  in  the  Hunter 
case  the  relation  vviis  jiroperbj  created,  and  had  existed  for 
many  years,  while  in  the  present  case,  the  relation  had 
hardly  existed  three  months  when  the  highest  ecclesias- 
tical Court  of  the  S^ate  declared  the  proceedings  irreg- 
ular and  hasty,  and  this  judgment  of  Synod  was  unan- 
imous, while  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  authorized  the 
prosecution  of  Mr.  McKelvey's  call  by  a  vote  of  16  to 
10,  and  installed  by  a  vote  of  15  to  14. 

How  much  more,  therefore,  by  parity  of  reasoning, 
are  your  petitioners  entitled  to  a  dissolution  ? 

II.  Your  petitioners  further  show,  that  aside  from  the 

2  irregulaiity  and  haste  which  characterized  the  calling 
and  installing  of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  and  the  large  dis- 
senting vote  of  the  Parish  of  Westfield  and  this  Pres- 
bytery, that  documents  are  on  file  with  the  Presbyterial 
Commission  showing  the  use  of  harsJi  and  intemperate 
language  by  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  to  his  parishioners,  to 
wit  :  charging  two  of  his  elders  with  false/iood  and  with 
subscribing  to  a  falsehood. — that  those  eldei's   are  fathers 

3  in  the  church  of  Westfield,  among  our  oldest  and  most 
honored  citizens,  and  against  whose  moral  and  religious 
character  no  word  of  slander  was  ever  before  uttered. 
Your  petitioners  further  show,  that  one  of  them,  Elder 
Ephraim  Clark,  has  reached  the  great  age  of  eighty 
years  and  upwards,  and  has  been  a  member  of  our  Ses- 
sion for  twenty-eight  (2S)  years — that  the  other.  Elder 
Joseph  Cory,  has  been  in  that  office  for  twenty  (20) 
years,  and  is  now  of  the  age  of  sixty-five  (65)  years. 

Your  petitioners   further   show   that   the    charge    of 

4  falsehood  against  these  venerable  and  worthy  elders  was 
uttered  immediately  after  the  administration  of  the  sac- 
raments of  our  church,  in  which  both  the  pastor  and 
elders  participated  ;  an  occasion  of  extraordinary  solem- 
nity, as  the  paper  referred  to  on  file  will  show,  which 


37 


paper  (the  presentation  of  James  O.  Clark*  before  the 
Pi'esbyterial  Commission)  we  ask  to  have  read  so  far  as 
it  relates  to  this  subject,  to  wit,  the  admission  of  Mrs. 
Prentis  into  the  church  on  her  dying  bed. 

Your  petitioners  further  show,  that  a  paper  is  also  on 
file  with  said  Commissioners  (or  at  any  rate  was  read 
before  them)  in  which  Mr.  McKelvey  admits,  in  a  great 
measure,  the  charge  made  against  him  by  these  two 
elders. 

The  present  case,  your  pttitioncrs  submit,  is  a 
stronger  case  than  the  case  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hunter;  for  (he 
was  once  admonished  and  afterwards  dismissed)  it  does 
not  appear  that  his  paiishioners,  against  whom  he  made 
the  charge  of  falsehood  were  distinguished  for  their 
great  age  and  as  office-bearers  in  the  church,  and  it  was 
in  the  time  of  great  political  excitement — and  ''  the 
principnl  cause,  if  not  tiie  origin  of  these  difficulties," 
was  charging  falsehood — but  under  circumstances  far 
different  from  those  around  the  communion  table  at  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  Prentis. 

Moore's  Dig.  p.  421,  and  Dr.  Mott's  letter.t 

(Rev.  George  S.  Mott,  D.  D.,  was  chairman  of  the 
Commission. — See  Dig.,  p.  420.) 

*  Exhibit  S,  Appendix. 

t  LETTER  OF  GEORGE  S.  MOTT,  D.  D. 

Flemington,  Nov.  17,  1874. 
Chaijncev  B.  Ripley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — I  do  not  clearly  understand  what  information  you  seek 
from  me  respecting  the  Appeal  case  referred  to.  Yon  desire  to  be  in- 
formed of"  the  precise  language  used  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hunter"'  in  the  case 
reported  in  Digest.  If  you  mean  the  terms  used  by  him,  about  some 
of  his  parishioners,  for  which  he  was  admonished  by  his  Presbytery,  I 
cannot  give  those,  because  I  have  none  of  the  papers  of  the  case  in  my 
possession.  These  were  lodged  with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assem- 
bly, and  I  cannot  now  recall  them  by  memory.  Therefore  I  cannot  state 
the  "precise  language"  he  employed.  I  can  give  just  what  is  in  my 
mind  respecting  the  case,  as  stated  in  the  Report  of  the  Commission. 
His  language  was  "harsh  and  intemperate."     It  should  be  mentioned 


38 


Your  petitioners  therefore  urge,  that  the  case  before 
the  Presbyteiy  of  Elizabeth  to-day  is  one  in  which  the 
minority  of  our  church  are  beyond  question  entitled  to 
a  dissolution,  if  the  precedent,  Mr.  Hunter's  case,  gov- 
erns your  action. 

Moore's  Dig.,  pp.  420  and  421. 

Moreover,  troubles  of  this  sort  are  no  new  thing  in 
respect  to  Mr.  McKelvey.  They  did  not  first  develop 
themselves  in  Westfield. 

(Here  read  Exhibit  "  E,"  annexed,  as  to  similar  trou- 
ble in  Paterson,  N.  J.* 


that  the  trouble  began  during  our  Civil  War,  and  much  of  the  irrita- 
tion was  connected  with  politics. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  a  violent  partisan  of  the  South  (if  I  am  not  mistaken), 
and  some  of  the  opprobrious  epithets  which  he  used  were  those  common 
at  that  time.  He  also  charged  some  of  his  parishioners  and  members 
with  falsehood.  ■»****»*  j(_  ^^.^^  evident 
to  us  that  he  had  neither  the  grace  nor  wisdom  to  pacify  the  small  and 
influential  minority  whom  he  had  angered.  So  far  as  I  remember,  Mr. 
Hunter  did  not  charge  immoralities  upon  those  persons,  except  in  the 
one  particular  of  charging  them  with  falsehood.  His  language  about 
them  was  very  offensive  to  them  and  irritating  under  the  circumstances. 
The  degree  to  which  language  becomes  "harsh  and  intemperate,"  de- 
pends considerably  upon  the  circumstances  under  which  it  is  spoken — 
and  therefore  when  removed  from  those  circumstances,  certain  objec- 
tionable terms  may  not  be  so  harsh  and  intemperate.  I  think,  there- 
fore, that  the  precise  language  used  by  Mr.  Hunter  is  not  of  much  im- 
portance in  your  case.  The  nature  of  that  language  may  be  of  some 
service,  and  that  I  have  given  you  from  memory. 

Yours  truly,  GEO.  S.  MOTT. 

*  Paterson  troubles  similar  : 

EXHIBIT   E. 

When  Mr.  McKelvey  was  in  Paterson,  six  or  seven  years  ago,  he 
charged  several  of  his  church  and  congregation  publicly  with  ''falsehood 
and  forgery '^ — one  of  which  persons  so  charged  was  an  officer  of  Mr. 
McKelvey's  church.  For  these  charges  he  was  required  to  and  did 
apologize  to  each  person  so  charged,  and  this  he  did  after  first  refusing 
so  to  do,  and  under  an  intimation  from  the  injured  parties  that  they 
should  resort  to  some  measures  for  redress. 

To  this  we  may  add  that  there  was  a  controversy  and  serious  trouble 


39 


Your  petitioners  further  show  : 

That  tlie  calling  and  installino:  of  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey  over  the  church  at  Westfield  was  as  unjust 
and  inexpedient  as  it  was  irregular,  hasty  and  unconsti- 
tutional. That  to  continue  this  relation  aijainst  the 
piayer  of  so  large  a  minority  of  the  church  and  congre- 
gation— a  minority  so  justly  entitled  to  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  the  house  and  surroundings  which  they 
and  their  fathers  have  built  and  provided,  is  an  act  of 
injustice  which  no  judicial  tribunal  could,  in  our  hum- 
ble judgment,  insist  upon,  in  full  view  of  all  the  facts 
and  circumstances  of  this  case. 

(See  brief"  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch,  on  file  with  the  Clerk 
of  Presbyterial  Commission.) 

Your  petitioners  have  too  high  a  regard  for  the  Chris- 
tian character  and  sense  of  justice  prevailing  among 
the  ministers  and  elders  who  compose  this  Presbytery 
(many  of  them  our  neighbors  and  friends),  to  believe  it 
possible  for  such  injustice  to  be  permitted,  except 
through  misapprehension  of  the. facts. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  that  the  question  now 
before  you  may  be  considered  from  the  facts  and  data 
presented  in  the  brief  of  Dr.  Kinch,  and  decided  on  the 
basis  of  justice — justice  to  the  minority — justice  to  the 
interests  of  the  Church,  and  justice  to  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion generally. 

Your  petitioners  further  show  (and  it  is  most  distaste- 
ful and  painful  for  us  to  urge  your  attention  to  this 
branch  of  our  c;ise),  that  we  fear  Mr.  McKelvey  does  not 


ia  Ml'.  McKelvej's  charch  in  Paterson,  extending  over  a  period  of 
many  months.  By  reason  of  this,  he  was  requested  by  a  unanimous 
vote  of  all  the  officers  of  his  church  to  resign  his  pastorate.  He  resigned 
and  went  away.     So  I  am  informed  and  believe. 

JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE. 
Westfield,  December  7,  1874. 

*  See  Appendix,  Exhibit  L. 


4 


40 


himself  take  high  ground  in  the  position  that  he  sought 
and  retains.  We  are  informed  and  believe  that  he  was 
pledged  to  accept  the  call  if  tendei'ed  by  a  majority  of 
the  legal  voters  of  the  congregation,  and  that  he  now 
stands  j^ledged  to  retain  his  othce  regardless  of  the  inter- 
ests of  your  petitioners,  who  are  thereby  deprived  of 
their  ghurch  privileges. 

Certain  it  is,  that  while  it  appears  plain  to  every  one 
that  Mr.  McKelvey  alone  is  the  only  obstacle  in  the 
way  of  bringing  harmony  out  of  discord,  he  himself  is 
unwilling  to  sacrifice  or  even  jeopardize  his  position  as 
pastor  of  the  Westfield  church,  as  the  following  proves  : 

After  the  Commissioners  had  finished  the  hearing  of 

2  the  case  by  the  representatives  of  the  minority. and  ma- 
jority, four  on  each  side,  an  adjoui'nment  of  one  week 
was  taken,  in  order  to  afford  the  Committees  an  oppor- 
tunity to  confer  together,  to  the  end  that,  if  possible, 
some  adjustment  of  our  troubles  might  be  effected.  It 
was  deemed  advisable,  and  by  some  necessar}^,  that  Mr. 
McKelvey's  consent  be  obtained  in  advance  to  abide  by 
any  terms  of  settlement  or  coiupromise  on  which  the 
majority  and  minority  might  agree — he  being  a  neces- 
sary party  to  such  agreement,  from  the  very  nature  of 

3  things. 

The  Presbyterial  Commission  sent  a  Committee  to 
confer  with  Mr.  McKelvey  in  the  matter  of  compromise  ; 
individual  members  of  the  Commission  conferred  with 
Mr.  McKelvey  ;  othei's,  among  them  his  best  friends, 
conferred  with  him  on  the  subject,  as  we  are  informed 
and  believe,  but  to  no  avail.  Mr.  McKelvey  declined  to 
submit  his  case  to  the  arbitration  of  four  from  the  minor- 
ity and  four  from  the  majority  and  abide  by  the  result. 

At  last,  three  gentlemen  from  the  minority  conferred 

4  with   him   and   submitted   the    following   propositions: 

1.  "  Will   you,   in    case   the    majority   and    minority 
agree  upon  a  compromise,  abide  by  their  decision  ?" 
Tq  which  Mr.  McKelvey  replied  :  "I  should  want  to 


41 


know  what  the  proposed  cornproinise  was  first.  To 
agree  to  such  a  proposition  would  be  like  '  buy-.ng  a  pig 
ill  a  bi/o-.'  " 

1 
After  which,  this  proposition  was  put : 

2.  "  Would  you,  if  the  compromise  is  a  dissolution, 
you  to  lemain  as  a  stated  supply,  not  to  exceed  one  year 
from  July  27,  1S74  ?" 

Mr.  McKelvey  answered  :  "I  decline  to  commit  my- 
self in  the  njatter." 

"But  you  would  be  in  the  hands  and  under  the  pro- 
tection of  your  friends,  an  equal  number  being  on  this 
arbitration,"  some  one  I'eplied. 

"I  decline,"  again  answered  ]\Ir.  McKelvey.  2 

Your  petitioners  have  become  satisfied  from  this  and 
other  occuri'ences,  that  Mi'.  jMcKelvey  has  no  regard  for 
the  interests  of  the  minority  of  our  church,  and  is  will- 
ing to  remain,  supported,  so  far  as  a  very  large  part  of 
the  church  are  concerned,  against  their  free  will. 

A  very  small  mjijority  is  satisfactory  to  him,  as  shown 
by  his  remaiks  to  Elders  Clark  and  Cory.  [See  brief 
of  James  0.  Clark*  (on  file  with  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  Clerk 
of  Pies.  Com.)] 

Mr.  McKelvey  has  taught  and  endeavored  to  teach 
that  majorities  should  necessarily  rule  and  control  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Your  petitioners  submit  that  such  is  not  the  polity 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  that  Synod  is  very  ex- 
plicit on  that  point,  in  the  judgment  rendered  on  the 
Complaint  of  Dr.  Sheddan  [see  Dr.  Sheddan's  Com- 
plaint,! (in  Minutes  of  Synod|)],  as  well  as  the  judg- 
ment sustaining  the  Appeal  of  the  minority  of  this,  our 
own  church  and  congregation,  lately  prosecuted  by  your 
petitioners  [see  Minute  of  Synod|  (annexed  and  marked 


See  Exhibit  S,  Appendix.  t  See  page  7  ante. 

t  See  page  G  ante. 

G 


42 


A.*)].     (See  nlso  letttM-  of  iriterpretationt  written  by  Dr. 

E.  R.  Ciaveii,   Cliaiiiiuvn    of  Sy nodical   Committee    on 

Miiitite — such  letter  is  on   file   with  Presbyterial  Com- 
t       .    . 
mission.) 

Your  petitioners  further  show  that  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion should  be  dissolved,  and  speedily,  because  the  inter- 
ests of  our  church,  the  interests  of  the  churches  in  the 
Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  and  the  interests  of  religion 
generally  require  it. 

Letters  from  the  mothers  of  our  church  have  been 
prepared  on  their  own  motion,  and  handed  in  to  the  mi- 
nority Committee,  addressed  to  this  Presbyiery,  which 
are  annexed,  and  to  the  consideration  of  which,  and  the 
burden  of  their  appeal,  we  urge  your  careful  attention. 
(See  letter  of  Mrs.  Groodrich,t  marked  B,  and  letter  of 

*  See  page  6  ante.  t  Appeudix,  Exhibit  V. 

X  Here  follow  tlie  letters  in  orfler.  First,  letter  of  Mrs.  Goodrich, 
marked  B  (Petition): 

To  THi:  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  : 

Reverend  Sirs, — As  a  member  of  the  Westfield  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  feeling  a  deep  interest  in  its  prosperity,  I  am  constrained  to  address 
you.  I  am  one  of  the  large  number  who  feel  that  as  a  church  we 
can  never  have  a  blessing  in  our  present  divided  state,  and  that  there 
will  never  cease  to  be  a  division  during  the  incumbency  of  the  present 
pastor. 

I  can  probably  present  no  more  facts  to  your  notice.  Socially  we  are 
as  if  we  had  no  pastor,  or  worse  than  that.  At  a  little  social  gathering 
of  mutual  friends — all  members  of  this  church — shortly  after  the  install- 
ation, in  which  five  families  were  represented,  I  was  struck  with  this 
fact  :  Not  once  was  the  pastor's  name  spoken,  at  a  time  when  our 
hearts  should  have  been  warmed  with  the  consciousness  of  being  blessed, 
as  a  church,  with  a  new  spiritual  guide  after  months  of  desolation. 
There  appeared  to  be  a  tacit  understanding  that  it  was  a  forbidden  sub- 
ject. 

Should  it  be  thus  ? 

Another  fact  I  deplore — The  influence  upon  our  children  of  this  un- 
fortunate division.  We  cannot  hide  from  them  the  fact.  We  would 
4  have  them  see  only  what  is  "  lovely  and  of  good  report "  iu  our  church 
organization,  and  now  they  behold  men  professedly  only  of  the  world 
leagued  with  church  members,  and  demanding  that  the  rights  of  majority 
shall  prevail,  utterly  ignoring  the  rights  of  a  large  minority.  As  a 
widowed  mother,  with  one  only  child,  a  son  dedicated  to  God  in  bap- 


43 


Mr*.  French,*  marked  C,  and  letter  of  Mrs.  CIark,t 
marked  D,  annexed. ) 

tism,  and  for  whom  it  is  her  heart's  prayer  that  ho  may  early  follow  the 
Master  and  become  a  visible  member  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  I  implore 
you  to  Aveig^li  well  the  i'acts  brought  before  you,  and  consider  whether 
it  is  bast  that  a  pastor  should  remain  without  any  prospect  of  harmony. 

Shame  and  opprobrium  are  gathering  around  our  beloved  church.  A 
pastor  loved,  honored  and  revered  has  left  us,  and  one  for  whom  we 
havft  no  such  regard  occupies  his  place.  Our  blessed  Master  is  dishon- 
ored, and  his  people  mourn.  That  he  may  give  you  wisdom  in  your  de- 
liberations, and  send  peace  to  our  distracted  church,  is  the  fervent 
prayer  of  "  one  of  the  minority."  MARY  E.  GOODRICH. 

Westfield,  November  24,  1874. 

*  Letter  of  Mrs.  French,  marked  C  (Petition): 
To  THE  Presbytery  op  Elizabeth  : 

An  affectionate  regard  ibr  this  church  has  induced  me  to  write  a  few  ^ 
lines.  When  I  think  of  the  church  where  has  been  so  much  uniti/  and 
love  I  cannot  refrain  from  tears.  Our  good  old  deacons,  who  have  taken 
many  anxious  sinners  by  the  hand,  counseled,  and  led  them  to  Christ, 
are  now  ignored  for  men  of  the  world  to  discuss  the  interests  of  the 
Church  of  Christ.  God  forbid  that  it  should  be  so!  Good  Dr.  Sheddau 
said,  "Let  the  peopie  alone;  they  will  settle  the  matter  themselves?' 
But,  no,  the. Presbytery  must  put  a  man  in  the  pulpit.  The  church,  by 
reason  of  that  decision,  suffered  harm.  Oh,  how  sad  !  God  be  merci- 
ful to  us — give  not  thine  heritage  to  reproach,  and  take  not  thy  Holy 
Spirit  from  us. 

We  earnestly  desire  to  have  a  man  over  this  people  that  will  have 
the  root  of  the  matter  within  him — that  will  practice  what  he  preaches, 
which  I  will  testify  Mr.  McKelvey  has  not  done.  Oh,  that  our  pulpit  3 
was  vacant !  then  we  could  love  one  another  as  we  always  have  before 
the  barrier  was  forced  in  our  path.  The  sooner  the  relation  is  dissolved 
the  better  for  the  church.  To  be  united  in  what  is  right  is  easy,  but 
what  is  wrong  is  hard  to  reconcile.  We  want  sinners  converted  and 
brought  to  the  Saviour ;  but  not  to  have  men  of  the  world  rule  over  the 
church,  as  has  been  done  for  some  months  past.  God  grant  the  Holy 
Spirit  may  rest  upon  the  people,  now  and  forever,  is  the  sincere  prayer 
of  this  writer.     My  heart  beats  with  emotion  while  I  pen  these  lines. 

Thanks  be  to  God,  we  have  a  throne  of  grace  where  we  may  plead 
our  cause. 

But  we  ask  help  from  you  also  as  a  Committee  or  Presbytery.  You 
say,  be  united.     How   can  we,  if  the  strong  pillars  of  church  are 

not  to  have  their  place  ?  I  have  been  a  member  of  this  church  for  many 
long  years,  and  I  have  never  seen  its  foundation  so  fearfully  shaken. 
The  pillars  are  moved  out  of  their  place  and  the  church  trembles. 

From  a  sister  in  the  Church, 

MRS.  P    FRENOH.- 
Westfield,  November  22,  1874. 
+  See  Appeudix,  Exhibit  Y. 


44 


These  letters  your  petitioners  submit  are  onl}^  an  in- 
timation of  the  sad  condition  of  things  in  the  Parish 
of  Westfield. 

Parents  tremble  in  view  of  the  unwholesome  influ- 
ence of  this  controversy  over  their  children,  who  have 
been  taught  to  reverence  the  minister  of  the  parish. 

Parents  absent  themselves  fiom  the  Communion  and 
from  the  services  of  the  church  and  lecture-room — apply 
to  neighboring  clergymen  to  visit  theii'  sick,  bnptize  their 
children,  and  marry  their  daughters.-  Families*  them- 
selves are  divided,  and  alienations  are  lipening  into  that 
which  does  not  become  either  neighbors  or  Christian 
brethren. 
^  Your  petitioners  submit  th;it  Christian  ministers  nnd 
elders  with  your  extended  expciiience  need  only  reflect 
to  follow  out  to  a  more  serious  and  deplorable  condition 
of  things  the  suggestions  above  submitted. 

Is  it  not  clear  beyon(l  question,  brethren  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, that  one  m;in,  one  man  alone,  is  the  present 
cause  of  all  our  troubles"/  Wli.it  subject  of  contention 
would  remain  if  Mr.  McKelvey  were  to  resign  his  posi- 
tion, and  the  Piesbytery  of  Elizabeth  wei'e  to  send  us 
as  stated  supply,  for  six   nioiitlis  or  a  year, — a  disci'eet 

3  Presbyterian  minister — a  peace-makei' — a  kind-hearted 
Cliristian  sJK^pheid  ? 

During  the  pi-ogress  of  the  labois  of  your  ]''iesbyterial 
Commission,  a[»pointed  at  your  hist  meeting,  one  of  its 
members.  Rev.  Mv.  Bliss,  was  ai)pointed  by  his  associates 
to  preach  a  sermon  to  the  Westfield  congregation,  pend- 
ing an  adjouinment  of  the  Commission,  conciliatory  in 
its  bearing.  (It  was  duiing  the  week  the  minority 
and  Uiajority  weie  to  hold  a  joint  meeting  mentioned 
above.) 

Mr.  Bliss  did   preach  on  "  The  Eleventh  Command- 

4  nient,"  and  liis  sermon  reached  the  heart  and  won  the 
admiration  of  eveiy  hearer,  as  your  petitioneis  believe. 
It  v^-as  a  sermon  for  each,  a  sermon  for  all,  majoi'ity  and 

*  See  Exhibit  W,  Appendix. 


45 


minority,  and  entirely  free  from  bias.     This  sermon  was 
prejiched  November  22. 

The  following  morning  Mr.  McKelvey,  in  stnmge 
contrast  with  the  spirit  of  tlie  sermon  and  the  spirit  of 
our  neighbors  and  brethren,  uttered  the  following,  as 
we  are  informed  and  believe.  [See  original  certificate 
annexed,*  (marked  D.     Let  certificate  be  read.)] 

We  pass  this  utterance  without  comment.  The  Pres- 
bytery are  competent  to  give  it  proper  significance. 

Your  petitioners  further  show  that  the  great  success 
chaimed  by  Mr.  McKelvey  in  his  report  at  Pluckemin, 
and  before  the  Presbyterial  Conmiission,  is  seriously  ex- 
plained away  by  the  brieft  of  Mr.  John  T.  Lawrence 
on  file  with  the  Commissioners.     (See  brief) 

Your  petitioners  further  urge  the  Presbytery  to  ex- 
amine the  brief  of  Mr.  James  0.  Clark, |  now  on  tile  with 
the  Commissioners,  as  to  the  alleged  inconsistency  be- 
tween statements  of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  made  at  differ- 
ent times  to  different  persons,  and  which  are  by  some 
characterized  as  iircvnrica lions. 

Your  petitioners  further  show  that  a  proposition  was 
made  by  the  minority  in  good  faith,  and  urged  before 
the  Commissioners,  as  follows  : 

"Let  the  Commissioners  report  in  favor  of  a  dissolu- 
tion, the  parish  to  commence  dc  novo,  and  Mr.  McKelvey 
to  be  a  candidate." 

The  proposition  was  resented  by  the  majority,  with 
some  appearance  of  indignation.  It  was  declared  an 
insult  to  the  majority  and  to  Mr.  McKelvey. 

*  The  following  is  the  certificate  {marked  wilh  papers  on  file): 

D. 

(A  remark  of  INIr.  McKelvey's  to  a  member  of  the  majority,  Monday, 

A.  M.,  Nov.  23,  as  overheard  by  a  bystander  in  Mr.  James  Pierson's 

store) : 

"  Well,  how  do  those  fellows  feel  after  that  sermon  ?     Keep  up  good 
courage,  we  shall  beat  them  yet." 

Tuesday,  November  24,  1874.  MARY  E.  GOODRICH. 

t  See  Exhibit  R,  Appendix.  X  Sec  Exhibit  S,  Appendix. 


4 


46 


Your  petitioners  submit  that  it  should  be  regarded 
quite  otherwise,  and  urged  before  the  Commissioners, 
the  majority  being  present,  that  such  a  proposition,  un- 
der the  existing  state  ot  things,  is  eminently  fair — for,  if 
Mr.  McKelvey  is  rightly  and  fairly  the  pastor,  and  the 
people  would  re-elect  him,  and  the  Presbytery  authorize 
the  prosecution  of  the  call,  and  install  him  again  by  a 
vote' of  15  to  14,  then  the  majority  and  Mr.  McKelvey's 
friends  have  nothing  to  fear.  This  proposition,  if  acted 
upon,  would  secure  fairness  to  both  parties,  untram- 
rneled  by  any  pievious  irregularities  —  that  is,  bring 
both  parties  to  a  common  platform. 

Your    petitioners    urge    that,    under  the    decision   of 

2  Synod,  the  case  stands  before  the  Presbytery  to-day,  de 
novo,  for  the  exercise  of  your  discretion. 

Your  petitioners  earnestly  pray  the  Presbytery  to  vote 
this  day  on  the  question,  Is  it  expedient  to  continue 
this  relation  ?  Let  us  liave  one  expression  of  this  judi- 
catory on  the  question  of  expediency. 

We,  your  petitioners,  have  heretofore  complained  to 
you,  and  you  have  gi'anted  us  no  relief. 

We  have  petitioned  to  you,  and  our  petition  was  filed 
away  unread  and  unansv^'ered. 

3  We  have  appealed,  and  by  direction  of  a  Court  supe- 
rior we  are  before  you  again  urging  our  petition  and 
complaint. 

We  have  made  overtures  both  to  the  Presbyterial 
Commission  and  to  the  majority,  and  no  countei'  propo- 
sition has  been  tendered  us. 

The  venerable  and  respected  Dr.  Sheddan,  to  the  last 
moment  of  his  life,  pleaded  for  us  before  the  judicatories 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  his  deliriums  at  the 
very  portals  of  eternity  argued  the  case  of  the  minority 
at  Westfield,   recording   his    prayers   for   us   up   to   the 

4  moment  of  his  dissolution,  and  v.'e  are  still  left  without 
relief  at  your  hands. 

.  We  implore  that  we  may  not  be  left  without  redress 
longer.     Grant  us  relief  to-day. 


47 


Dissolve  this  pastoral  lelation,  and  dissolve  it  at  once, 
we  imploi'e  you. 

Dissolve  it,  because  it  was  improperly  created,  as  the 
Synod  have  unanimously  declared. 

Dissolve  it,  because  njore  than  one-third  of  the  church 
and  congregation  opposed  its  creation,  and  oppose  its 
continuance. 

Dissolve  it,  because  it  was  founded  in  injustice,  as  we 
sincerely  believe,  and  remains  a  hardship  we  are  unable 
to  endure. 

Dissolve  it,  because  it  is  expedient  so  to  do,  and  inex- 
pedient to  do  otherwise. 

Dissolve  it,  because  our  hopes  of  reconciliation  under 
the  pastoiate  of  Mr.  McKelvey  are  entirely  dissipated 
and  abandoned. 

Dissolve  it,  in  consideration  of  the  whole  case,  and  in 
view  of  all  its  bearings  —  a  divided  and  disordered 
church,  a  divided  and  inharnjonious  Session,  a  Sabbath 
school  divided,  divided  ftimiiies,  divided  social  and 
Christian  relations  and  intercourse. 

(See  Minutes*  of  Parish  Meeting,  January  28,  1874, 
and  resolutions  adopted.) 

Your  petitioners  pray  for  a  dissolution,  and  will  ever 
pray. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  Dec.  3,  1874. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 
FREDERICK  A.  KINCH, 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE, 
JAMES  O.  CLARK, 
On  behalf  of  the  minoritij  of  the  chvrch  and  con- 
gregation of  the  Fresbijteriun  Church. 

Ephraim  Clark, 


Henry  Baker,  _,,, 

\  Elders  A 
Joseph  Cory,        f 

F.  R.  Baker, 


o  Exhibit  H,  Appendix. 

t  Exhibit  U,  Appendix.     The  Eldeisliip  equally  divided. 


APPENDIX. 


EXHIBIT  AA. 

ADMISSION  OF  SERVICE  OF  APPEAL  AND 
COMPLAINT. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  December  17,  1874. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Boberts,  D.  D.,  Moderator,  etc.  : 

Dear  Sir, — We  send  you  by  bearer,  for  service  on 
you,  Appeal  and  Complaint  ot  tiie  Westfield  Presby- 
terian Church  Minority. 

Please  signify  in  writing,  tlirough  the  messenger, 
your  receipt  of  the  same,  and  oblige, 

Yours  truly, 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 

For  the  Minority. 

The  Appeal  and  Complaint  of  Chauncey  B.  Ripley, 
Esq.,  F.  A.  Kinch  and  others  was  received  by  me  this 
17th  day  of  December,  1874. 

WM.  C.  ROBERTS. 

7 


EXHIBIT  A. 

POSTAL  CARD  OF  JUNE  24. 

Sidney,  N.  J.,  June  24,  1874. 


UUNITED   states: 
;    POSTAL  CARD.    ' 


To  Rev.  TV.  H.  Boberts,  Cnmd/ord,  N.  J.  : 

A  Special  Meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  will 
be  held  on  Tuesday,  July  7th,  at  10  A.  M.,  in  West- 
minster Church,  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  for  tlie  purpose  of 
considering,  and  it  the  way  be  cleai",  of  acting,  upon  the 
application  of  the  church  at  Westtield  for  placing  a  call 
in  the  hands  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKel^'ey  to  become 
pastor  of  said  church,  and  of  transacting  any  business 
connected  with  said  call. 

J.  G.  WILLIAMSON, 

Moderator. 


EXHIBIT   B. 

POSTAL  CARD  OF  JULY  2. 


UNITED  STATES: 
POSTAL  CARD.  : 


To  Isaac  H.  Ficrson,  Esq,,  Westjield,  N.  J.: 

Sidney,  N.  J.,  July  2,  1S74, 

Mr.  Isaac  H.  Piekson,  Esq. — Dear  Sir, — I  called  a 
Special  Meeting  of  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  to  be  held  in 
Lecture  Room  of  Westminster  Church,  Elizabeth,  on 
July  7  (Tuesday)  at  10  A.  M.,  and  sent  a  notice  of  it 


51 


to  your  Session,  mailing  it  on  June  23d.  I  am  sorry 
that  you  did  not  receive  it.  Please  accept  this  as  a 
second  notice.  By  direction  of  Stated  Clerk  of  Pres- 
bytery, I  sent  former  notice  to  Levi  Cory,  Esq. 

I  remain, 

Youi's  respectfully, 

J.  a.  WILLIAMSON. 


EXHIBIT   C. 

CERTIFICATE  OF  ISAAC  H.  PIERSON,  STATED  2 
CLERK,  JULY  4. 

.  I  hereby  certify  that  I  am  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Session  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Parish  of  Westfield, 
Presbytery  of  Elizabeth. 

I  also  certify  that  I  was  appointed  at  the  parish  nieet- 
ing,  June  11,  1874,  to  subscribe  the  call  to  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey  as  a  member  of  the  Session.  That  I 
have  received  no  official  notice  from  the  Presbytery  of 
the  pi'oposed  meeting  of  that  body  on  the  7th  of  July 
until  July  2d,  and  did  not  know  officially  that  such 
meeting  was  called  till  Tuesday,  30th  inst.,  when  I  saw 
the  notice  of  Rev.  W.  H.  Roberts. 

Dated  July  4,  1874. 

ISAAC  H.  PIERSON. 


62 


EXHIBIT  D. 


COMPLAINT  OF  THE  MINORITY  OF^ 
THE  WESTFIELD  CHURCH  AND 
CONGREGATION  AGAINST  THE  AC- 
TION OF  THE  MODERATOR,  REV. 
E.  KEMPSHALL,  AT  A  PARISHf 
MEETING  HELD  IN  WESTFIELD, 
N.  J.,  JUNE  II,  1874. 

THIS    COMPLAINT   WAS    HEARDl 
JULY   7,    1874,   AT   A   MEETING  OF 
THE  ELIZABETH  PRESBYTERY  IN' 
WESTMINSTER     CHURCH,    ELIZA- 
BETH. 


2    To  the  Fresbytcry  embracivg  the  Parish  of  Westjield,  New 

Jersey  : 
The  subscribers,  iiieinbeis  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and    congregation    of   Westfield,   N.   J.,   complain    and 
allege — 

That  the  pioceedings  had  at  a  parish  meeting  held  on 
Thursday,  June  .11,  were  irreguhir,  and  calculated  to 
promote  discord  and  impair  the  best  interests  of  the 
church,  for  the  following  reasons,  to  wit: 

•^  1.  No  sufficient  endeavor  was  made  by  the  Moderator  to 
dissuade  the  congregation  from  prosecuting  the  election 
of  a  {lastor  after  it  appeared  that  a  large  minority  of  the 
people  were  averse  from  the  candidate  in  the  majority. 

The  course  ado[)ted  being  contrary  to  the  fifth  section, 
Chapter  XV  of  the  Book  of  Government. 

A  certified  copy  of  Minutes*  (here  offered  in  evidence) 
fails  to  show  the  utterance  of  a  word  by  tlie  Moderator 
with  a  view  of  dissuading  the  majority.  As  matter  of 
fact,  there  was  not  a  word  uttered,  as  the  book  re(;[uires. 

4  While  the  same  Minutes  (Ex.  E)  show  that  the  Mod- 
erator delivered  himself  of  two  exhortations  to  the  mi- 
nority, urging  them  "  to  renounce  individual  preferences 

*  Exhibit  E,  Appendix,  Minutes  of  meeting  of  July  7. 


-53 


and  accept  the  candidate  chosen  by  the  majority  "  (Ex. 
E) — "to  let  their  affections  for  this  church  of  historic 
memones  rise  above  individual  prefei'ences,  go  home  and 
submit  to  tlie  orderings  of  Divine  Providence,"  etc. 
(Ex.  E). 

The  Minutes  (Ex.  E)  show  that  the  majority  was  not 
large,  being  the  diffei'ence  between  117  and  88 — only 
29. 

There  is  no  evidence  in  the  Minutes  themselves,  nor 
was  such  the  fact,  that  the  majority  insisted  upon  their 
right  to  call  their  ciindidate.  Besides,  the  Moderator 
was  urged  to  dissuade  the  congregation  from  pressing 
the  candidate  of  either  party  by  Chauncey  B.  Ripley, 
who  voted  for  neither  Mr.  McKelvey  nor  Mr.  Critten-  '^ 
den  ;  and  the  ruling  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sheddan  at  a  former 
parish  meeting  was  cited  as  a  precedent  in  conformity 
with  the  rule  under  Sec.  5,  Chap.  XV.,  referred  to.  Mr. 
Ripley  cited  that  case,  urging  that  the  candidate,  Mr. 
McKelvey,  was  a  candidate  at  that  meeting,  January  28, 
1874,  and  tliat' the  majority  for  hiui  was  about  the  same, 
compared  with  the  number  of  votes  cast,  and  that,  ac- 
cording to  the  Book  of  Government  and  the  ruling  of 
Dr.  Sheddan,*  it  was  clearly  the  duty  of  the  Moderator  ^ 
to  endeavor  to  discourage  a  call. 

The  Moderator  neglected  so  to  do. 

The  Minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  were  called  for 

by  Mr. ,  and  the  former  clerk.  Dr.  Kinch,  offered 

to  read  them,  but  the  Moderator  ruled  them  out. 

The  Minutes  are  offered  in  evidence,  and  n)arked  Ex- 
hibit A.t 

A  resolution  adopted  in  that  meetmg,  and  contained 
in  those  Minutes,  was  important,  showing  that  Mr. 
McKelvey  was  discharged  as  a  candidate  for  the  pas- 
torate of  Westfield  church,  and  another  resolution  that 
the  call  be  prosecuted  no  further.^ 

*  See  Exhibit  H,  Appendix — Minutes  of  January  28  meeting. 
t  Marked  Exhibit  H  in  Appendix.     See  pages  62  and  63. 
t  Page  63,  post. 


64 


2.  The  motion  to  make  unanimous  the  majority  vote 
proceeded  from  one  of  the  majority,  and  was  seconded 
by  one  in  the  majoi'ity  also  (Dr.  Sheddan  suggested  that 
^  minority  should  make  the  motion).  The  motion  was  made 
by  Mr.  Effingham  Embree,  who  voted  in  , the  majority, 
and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Cory  of  the  majority. 
It  was  urged  by  one  ol  the  congregation  that  of  a!l  the 
minorit^^,  numbering  88  out  of  205,  there  was  not  one, 
after  the  exhoitation  of  the  Moderator,  to  make  the  mo- 
tion tor  unanimity  ;  and  that  of  itself  was  conclusive 
evidence  that  the  call  sliould  be  discouraged. 

To  this  Appeal  the  Moderator  did  not  respond,  except 
to  put  the  question. 

2  Exhibit  I,  a  letter  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Parish  Meeting 
of  June  11,  shows  thiit  tlie  record  of  that  fact,  stated 
above  in  point  2,  was  suppressed  by  order  of  the  Mod- 
erai;or,  Dr.  Kempshail. 

See  page  64,  yost,  Exhibit  I. 

Compare  also  Ex.  J  (Ai)pendix),  a  true  copy  of  the 
original  Minutes,  with  Ex.  K  (Appendix). 

3.  There  was  no  unanimity  in  the  vote  recorded  as 
unanimous  to  elect  a  pastor,  such  vote  being  shown  to 

3  embrace  not  more  than  two  from  the  minority — the  ma- 
jority vote  being  317  on  the  first  ballot,  and  only  1J9 
on  the  ballot   to   make  it  unanimous  (Ex.  K  and  Ex.  J). 

Unanimity  is  not  implied  where  the  vote  stood  as  in 
this  case.  It  can  hardly  be  said  to  approximate  to  unan- 
imity. 

4.  No  opportunity  was  given  to  members  of  the  con- 
gregation to  express  their  views  on  the  subject  of  sal- 
ary, and  undue  haste  was  indulged  in  making  out  the 
call  and  fixing  the  salary. 

4  Rule  of  General  Assembly,  No.  18.    Moore's  Pres. 

Dig.,  206. 

Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  a  member  of  the  congregation, 
and  a  legal  voter,  arose  after  the  motion  was  made  to 


55 


fill  in  $2,500  as  the  salary,  and,  addressing  the  Modera- 
tor, asked  if  any  remarks  were  allowable  on  any  of  these 
motions.     The  Moderator  answered  "No." 

The  ruling  implies  undue  haste. 

The  General  Assembly  will  not  sustain  the  action  of  1 
an  inferior  judicatory  where  they  have  been  precipitate, 
and  not  observed  the  constitutional  rules. 

Case  of  Mr.  Arthur. — Moore's  Pres.  Dig.,  (last 
edition)  p.  571,  No.  11. 

Tlie  right  of  petition,  and  the  right  of  freedom  of 
speech  is  recognized  by  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
church  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Neill  (Moore's  Pres.  Dig.,  p. 
542),  and  the  Committee  refuse  to  discuss  it,  as  being 
an  established  principle  not  requiring  proof. 

5.  The  parsonage  was  added  to  the  salary  by  direction 
of  the  Moderator  (Dr.  E.  Kempshall)  without  the  vote 
of  the  people  (Exhibit  K,  Appendix). 

The  Synod  and  General  Assembly  have  recommended 
to  congregations  that  they  provide  a  glebe  and  parson- 
age for  their  pastor,  and  a  liberal  support — tliat  their 
salaries  be  made  adequate  to  their  needs,  and  paid  with 
honorable  promptitude,  but  there  is  no  authority  assumed 
on  the  part  of  the  Presbytery,  nur  any  orders  made  in 
any  recorded  case. 

The  Presbytery  have  no  autlioi'ity  to  add  parsonages  3 
to  salaries,  and  could  therefore  delegate  none. 

Tlie  title  to  the  use  of  the  parsonage,  if  acquired  at 
all,  must  be  acquired  through  those  who  hold  the  title, 
viz.,  tht  corporate  church  organization. 

Dr.  Kenjpshall's  pretended  grant  is  therefore  a  nullity, 
and  Mr.  McKelvey  has  no  title.  He  must  acquire  it  in 
the  ordinary  way  by  grant  of  the  people. 

6.  Illegal   votes   were   cast  by  those   not  entitled  to 
vote  under  the  rules,  and  the  votes  of  persons  counted   ^ 
who  did  not  cast  them. 


5G 


Exhibit  K  shows  208  votes  cast  and  only  206  names 
recorded. 

The  votes  of  those  persons  specified  in  Di'.  Kiiich's 
1    brief*  were  not  pew-holders  in  good  faith. 

Mr.  Squier  Pierson  arose  to  inquire  the  sum  named 
as  sahiry,  and  was  counted  while  making  the  inquiry. 
Witness,  John  T.  Lawrence,  Supervisor  of  Election. 

For  other  cases  of  illegal  voting,  see  Dr.  Kinch's 
brief.* 

7.  After  it  was   demonstrated  that   unanimity  could 
not  be  secured,  the  Moderator  refused  to  entertain  a  res 
olution  that  we  were  not  ready  for  an  election. 

Tlie  motion  was  made  by  Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  and 
seconded  by  John  T.  Lawrence. 

The  motion  was  in  the  nature  of  a  motion  to  recon- 
sider the  first  motion,  and  was  therefore  a  privileged 
question. 

American  Debater,  p.  119. 

The   ruling  was  in   conflict  with  parliamentary  rules, 

with  the  Book    of  Govermnent,  Sec.  5,  Chap.  XV,  and 

with  the  ruling  of  Dr.  Sheddan  at  a  former  meeting, 

January  28,  lS74.t 
3  '' 

S.  The  Moderator  denied  the  privilege  to  tiiose  en- 
titled to  vote  to  make  remaiks  on  several  questions  sub- 
mitted to  the  congregation  fur  ballot. 

On  the  motion  to  fix  the  salary  at  $2,500,  the  Mod- 
erator was  asked  by  Chauncey  B.  Ripley  if  any  of  the 
motions  being  made  were'  debatable,  and  was  answered 
no  by  the  Moderator. 

9.  The  candidate  in   the  majority  was  not  properly 


*  Brief  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Kiiicb,  used  by  him  in  his  argument  before  Pres. 
bjtery  of  Elizabeth,  July  7.     See  Appendix,  Exhibit  L. 

t  That  it  became  the  Moderator's  duty  to  endeavor  to  dissuade  in 
case  of  large  minority. 


57 


before  the  congiegatiou,  lie  having  been  once  presented 
on  a  former  occasion,  and  dropped  b^'  unanimous  con- 
sent, and  the  Session  having  refused  to  present  his  name 
a  second  time. 

(Error — The  majority  was  a  trifle  greater  at  the  last 
meeting). 

The  Minutes  (Exhibit  H,  Appendix)  sliow  that  Mr. 
McKelvey  was  discharged  as  a  candidate — that  his  elec- 
tion was  to  be  piosecuted  no  farther. 

There  is  no  good  reason  sliown  tor  liis  piesentation  a 
second  time. 

It  was  unfair  to  the  Camp  faction,  and  in  bad  taste  as 
to  the  candidate. 

From  all  tlie  proceedings  ai  sucli  meeting,  for  the 
reasons  given  above,  and  others  that  m;iy  appear,  we 
respectfully  appeal  to  your  body  for  ledress. 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 

On  behalf  of  the  Minority.* 
June  13,  1874. 


*  The  miuority  at  the  time  uuinbered  one  huudred  and  tweuty-tbur. 
See  also  Exhibit  G,  Appendix. 

Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  also  appeared  before  Presbytery  July  7,  and  submit- 
ted brief.     See  Exhibit  L,  post.  3 

Mr.  John  T.  Lawrence  was  also  heard  on  behalf  of  the  minority  on 
that  occasion. 


58 


EXHIBIT  E. 

I        MINUTES  OF  PRESBYTERY,  JULY  7,   1874. 


MINUTES  OF  THE   PRESBYTERY  OF  j 
ELIZABETH  HELD  JULY  7,  1874,/    . 
OMITTING    ORGANIZATION    AND/ 
THE-  EOIX.  I 

The  call  for  llie  meeting  was  then  read,  the  purpose 
being  to  consider,  and  if  the  way  be  clear  to  act  upon, 
the  application  of  the  church  at  Westfield,  N.  J.,  for  the 
jdacing  a  call  in  the  hands  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 
to  become  pastor  of  said  church,  and  of  transacting  any 
business  connected  with  said  call.  The  cliurcli  at  West- 
field  was  represented  by  the  following  named  persons  as 
commissioners  :  E.  M.  Pierson,  Orrin  Pierson,  Levi  Cory, 
A.  S.  Clark,  who  presented  to  Presbytery  the  Minutes 
of  the  parish  meeting  held  in  the  church  at  Westfield, 
June  11,  1874,  the  Minutes  of  the  joint  meeting  of  the 
elders  and  trustees,  authorizing  the  commissioners  to 
represent  the  church,  aiid  the  call  to  the  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey.     The  papers  as  presented  were  read, 

On  motion. 

liesolved,  That  the  minority  of  the  church  be  heard  by 
their  representatives,  C.  B.  Ripley,  C.  A.  Kinch,*  and 
Mr.  Lawrence. 

Mr.  Ripley  objected  to  the  legality  of  the  present 
meeting  of  Presbytery,  on  the  ground  of  insufficient  no- 
tice to  the  church  at  Westfield. 

The  Moderator  decided  that  sufficient  notice  had  been 
given,  inasmuch  as  one  of  the  elders  of  the  church  had 
been  notilied  by  hin^.  of  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  more 
than  ten  days  previous  to  its  convening. 

Exception  was  taken  by  Mr.  Ripley  to  the  ruling. 

*  Should  be  Dr.  F.  A.  Kineh. 


59 


The  representatives  of  the  minority  then  presented 
their  complaint  piotesting  against  the  settlement  of  Rev. 
Alexander  McKelvey  over  the  church  at  Westlield,  and 
explained  its  point. 

Dr.  Kempshall  made  a  full  statement  to  Presbytery 
of  the  part  taken  by  him,  first  as  Modeiator  of  tlie  meet- 
ing of  Westfield  Session,  June  2,  1S74,*  and,  second,  as 
Moderator  of  the  parish  meeting  of  tlie  church,  June  12, 
1874. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  moved  and  sec- 
onded : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  call  of  the  Westfield  churcU  and 
congregation  for  the  pastoral  services  of  the  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey  has  been  regularly  made.,  and  is  found 
to  be  in  order. 

2.  That  the  commissioners  bearins^  the  call  to  Pros- 
bytery  have  leave  to  prosecute  the  same. 

After  discussion,  a  division  of  the  question  being  called 
for  by  the  I'equisite  number  of  persons,  the  vote  was 
taken  on  the  resolutions  separately.  The  first  was  cai- 
ried  unanimously  ;  and  the  second  was  carried  by  a  vote 
of  16  in  the  affirmative  to  10  in  the  negative. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  be  in- 
vited to  appear  in  person  before  Presbytery,  and  that 
the  commissioners  of  Westfield  church  have  leave  to 
place  the  call  in  his  liands.t  Mr.  McKelvey  appeared  be- 
fore Presbytery,  and  upon  receiving  the  call  stated  that 
he  was  not  then  able  to  decide  as  to  its  acceptance. 

Notice  being  given  by  the  minority  of  their  intention 
to  appeal  to  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  against  the  ac- 
tion of  Presbytery  in  authorizing  the  prosecution  of  a 
call  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  to  become  pastor 

*  See  Exhibit  U,  post. 

\  Motion  by  Dr.  Kempshall.     See  Point  VII,  page  22  above. 


1 


2 


60 


of  the  church  at  Westfield,  Drs.  Kempshall  and  Plumb- 
ley  were  appointed  a  committee  to  defend  such  action 
before  Synod. 

The  minority  requested  a  stay  of  proceedings  until 
after  the  hearing  of  the  appeal  to  Synod. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  Whereas  the  minority  of  Westfield  church 
have  'asked  a  stay  of  proceedings,  therefore,  resolved  : 
that  this  body  decline,  at  this  time,  to  grant  their  re- 
quest. 

On  motion,  Presbytery  adjourned. 

The  above  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  July  7,  1874. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Clerk. 
Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  July  15,  1874. 


EXHIBIT  F. 

CERTIFICATE  OF  DR.  RANKIN,  STATED  CLERK 
OF  PRESBYTERY  OF  ELIZABETH. 

I  hereby  certify  that  at  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Elizabeth  held  on  the  7th  of  July  in  the  city  of  Eliz- 
abeth, objection  was  taken  by  Chauncey  B.  Ripley  to 
the  voting  and  other  paiticipation  of  Rev.  Dr.  Kemp- 
shall,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  an  interested  party, 
and  a  member  of  the  judicatory  whose  action  was  under 
review.  That  notwithstanding  such  objection,  duly 
made  and  taken,  the  said  Dr.  Kempshall  participated 
largely  in  the  discussions  and  voting. 

I  also  certify  that  Dr.  Sheddan,  of  Rahway,  also  a 
member  piesent,  objected  to  the  proposed  deliveiy  of 
the  call  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  on  that  occa- 
sion, as  being  premature,  for  the  reason  that  the  Rev. 


61 


Alexander  McKelvey  was  not  a  member  of  our  Presby- 
tery, and  that  lie  was  a  member  of  some  Classis  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Churcli,  and  that  such  delivery  of  the 
call  would  be  irregular,  according  to  the  rules  and  prac- 
tice of  the  two  churches. 

The  above  statement,  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Ripley,  I  here- 
by sign  and  certify  to  be  substantially  correct,  accord- 
ing to  my  recollection. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Clerk. 
Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  July  15,  1874. 


EXHIBIT  G. 

REPORT    OF    COMMITTEE    OF    MINORITY    TO 
MR.    McKELVEY,    AND    NOTICE    OF    IN- 
TENTION TO  APPEAR  BEFORE 
PRESBYTERY. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  June  22,  1S74. 

To  Bev.  Alexander  McKclucij  : 

Dear  Sir, — The  minority  of  the  parish  meeting  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  recently  held  for  the  purpose  of  3 
electing  a  pastor,  met  on  the  20th  inst.,  and  organized 
by  the  election  of  a  president  and  secretary,  and  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  report  to  you  the  action  of  the 
minority  since  the  parish  meeting. 

The  committee  thus  appointed  request  me  to  submit 
the  following  as  their  report  : 

Since  the  13th  inst.,  the  inclosed  appeal  to  the  Pres- 
bytery* has  been  circulated  among  the  members  of  the 
church  and  congregation,  and  has  been  subscribed  by 
one  hundred  and  twenty-four  persons — all  entitled  to 
vote  under  the  rules  laid  down  at  the  parish  meeting.  4 
The  paper  is  still  in  circulation,  and  the  number  of  sig- 

*   i.  c.  The  points  given  on  page^<  f>2  to  57  inclusive,  ante. 


62 

natures  will  be  somewhat  increased,  as  we  have  good 
reason  to  believe. 

It  is  proposed  by  the  minority  to  a[>point  from  among 

1  their  number  Commissioners  to  attend  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery  and  present  this  Appeal,  and  urge  the 
points  therein  set  foi'th. 

It  is  the  unanimous  conviction  of  the  minority  that  it 
is  a  duty  they  owe  to  themselves  and  to  you,  that  their 
action  be  thus  reported  and  iriade  known,  and  that  you 
have  due  notice  of  our  intended  application  to  the  Pres- 
bytery to  set  aside  tlie  election  on  the  grounds  set  forth 
in  paper  inclosed. 

Very  respectfully, 

2  ROBERT  FRENCH,         ) ^ 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE,  I  ^^»'"^^"^^- 

Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  Chairman. 
Charles  A,  Kinch,  Secretary. 

The  foregoing  Report  and  Notice  was  served  person- 
ally on  Mr.  McKelvey  a  week  or  more  before  the  meet- 
ing of  Presbytery  on  the  7th  July  following. 

Along  with  it  was  also  served  a  copy   of  the  points 
contained  in  Exhibit  D,  sHj)ra,  page  52. 
3 


EXHIBIT  H. 

MINUTES   OF  PARISH  MEETING  OF  JANUARY 

28,    1874. 

At  a  special  parish  meeting,  called  by  the  Session  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Westfield,  New  Jersey,  agree- 
ably to  notice,  held  in  the  church  on  Wednesday,  Jan- 
uary 28,  1874,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  pastor  for 
said  church  : 

The  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan,  of  Rahway,  presiding  as  Mod- 
erator, opened  the  meeting  with  prayer. 


63 


On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  be  chosen  as  secretary 

of  said  meeting. 

^  1 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  Tliat  the  meeting  proceed  to  elect  a  pastor. 

Nominations  were  announced  by  the  Modeiator  to  be 
in  order. 

The  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  and  Rev.  Edward  H. 
Camp  were  nominated  as  candidates. 

On  motion, 

.  Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Addison  S.  Clark,  Francis  R.   .^ 
Baker  and  William  W.  Baker  act  as  tellers  in  this  elec- 
tion. 

After  the  election,  and  the  votes  counted,  it  was 
announced  by  the  tellers  rhat  there  had  been  ninety- 
eight  votes  cast,  of  which  Rev.  Al-exander  McKelvey 
had  received  fifty-five,  and  the  Rev.  Edward  H.  Camp 
had  received  forty-three  votes. 

On  motion. 

Resolved,  That  the  church  and  congregation  prosecute  ^ 
the  call  for  these  two  candidates  no  further. 

On  motior>. 

Resolved,  That  these  two  candidates,  viz.,  Rev.  /i.lex- 
ander  McKelvey  and  Rev.  Edward  H.  Camp  be  dis- 
charged as  candidates  for  the  pastorate  of  this  church 
and  congregation. 

On  motion. 

Resolved,  That  all  chuich   members  of  this  church  in 
good  and  regular  standing,  and  all  pew-holders  who  con-  ^ 
tribute   their  just   proportion,   according    to    their  own 
engagements  or  the  rules  of  the  congregation,  to  all  its 
necessary  expenses,  shall  hereafter  be  considered  legal 


64 


voters  on  all  questions  relating  to  the  election  of  a  pas- 
tor. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  church  and  congre- 
gation be  tendered  to  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  and 
Rev.  Edward  H.  Campfor  their  able  and  interesting  dis- 
courses which  they  have  favored  us  with. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  we  adjourn. 

REV.  S.  S.  SIIEDDAN, 

Moderator. 
F.  A.  KINCH, 

Stcretary. 


A  certified  copy. 


F.  A.  KiNCH, 

Clerk  of  said  meeting. 


EXHIBIT  I. 

•^  LETTER  FROM  CLERK  OF  PARISH  MEETING 
OF  JUNE  IL 

Westfiei^d,  N.  J.,  June'  13,  1874. 
Mr.  Isaac  H.  Pierson  [Stated  Clerk  of  Session) : 

Dear  Sir, — Permit  me  to  hand  you  the  certiHcate  of 
the  Moderator"  of  our  last  })arish  meeting,  with  the  blanks 
properly  tilled  out  as  you  requested.  I  do  also  send  a 
copy  of  the  Minutes  of  that  meeting.  Some  one  n)ay 
discover  an  omission  after  the  motion  to  make  the  call 
unanimous.  In  the  original  di'aft  of  the  Minutes  ap- 
pears this  item  :  "  The  motion  was  made  by  a  repre- 
sentative   ot  the  majority  ;"  but  it  is  omitted  from  the 

*  Dr.  Kenipsball. 


65 


certified   copy  by  the    order  of   the  Moderator  of  the 
meeting. 

Sincerely  yours, 

CHARLES  A.  KINCFI,  ^ 

Cleric  of  Parish  Meeting  held  June  11,  1874. 

A  true  copy. 

CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 

Clerk  of  Parish  Meeting. 


EXHIBIT  J. 

FIRST  DRAFT  MINUTES  OF  JUNE   1 1  MEET- 
ING. 

At  a  parish  meeting  held  June  lltli,  1874,  agreeable 
to  call  of  Session,  Dr.  Keuipshall  in  chnir,  opened  by 
prayer,  Dr.  Charles  A.  Kincli  elected  Clerk. 

Stated  Clerk  of  Session  gave  report  of  Minutes  of  Ses- 
sion meeting. 

Call  of  meeting  read.  Moved  proceed  to  election  of 
a  pastor  of  this  church.     Carried  unanimously. 

Nomination — S.  W.  Crittenden  (seconded),  Alexander 
McKelvey. 

Appointed  tellers  by  motion — William  W.  Connoly, 
Joseph  S.  Clark.     Carried. 

Order  of  Session  in  regard  to  ballot  stated  by  Modera- 
tor. Moved  add  to  tellers  to  act  as  supervisors  of  elec- 
tion. John  T.  Lau'rence,  James  M.  French.     Carried. 

Ballots  distributed  and  taken.     Result  announced. 

Moderator  exhorted  the  minority  to  renounce  individ- 
ual preferences,  and  accept  candidate  chosen  by  major- 
ity. 

Moved  call  made  unanimous  (by  a  representative  of 
the  majority). 

Ruled  this  only  motion  in  order. 
9 


66 


Ruled  that  the can  only  get  voice  of  people  by 

a  vote  to  find  out  how  fiir  tlie  minority  will  yield,  and 
how  far  majority  will  insist.     Ruled,  division. 

Yeas,  119;   nays,  57. 

Moved  call  made  out  for  Alexander  McKelvey  be  pas- 
tor of  this  cliurch.      Carried. 

Moderator  read  call  with  blank  dollars,  blank  day. 

How  fill  blank  for  salary — moved,  $2,500.  Called  for 
division. 

Ruled  all  who  voted  upon  the  other  question  may 
vote  on  this.* 

Yes,  1'2  ;  no,  03.     Carried. 

How  payments  /  Semi-annually.  B}'  call,  wish  to  add 
parsonage  V 

Ruled  :  subscribe  to  call  by  every  person — elders  and 
deacons,  by  trustees  or  select  committee. 

Moved  by  elders  and  trustees.     Carried. 

Exhorted  affection  of  this  church  of  historic  memories 
rise  above  individual  preference,  and  have  done  duty 
and  submit  to  Divine  Providence. 

Moved  sincere  vote  thanks  of  meeting  to  Dr.  Kemp- 
shall  for  his  able — 

Adjourned  with  prayer. 

Minutes  read  and  accepted. 

A  true  copy. 

CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 

Cleric  of  Farish  Meeting. 

*  The  other  question  vefened  to  was  the  question  who  should  he  pas- 
tor.    Compare  Exhibits  T  and  U  p«st. 


()7 


EXHIBIT  K. 

MINUTES  OF  JUNE  II   MEETING,  AS  REVISED  i 
BY  DR.  KEMPSHALL. 

At  a  parish  meeting  held  June  llth,  1874,  agreeable 
to  the  call  of  the  Ciiurch  Session,  Dr.  E.  Kempshall 
acting  as  Moderator, 

The  meeting  was  opened  vvich  prayer. 

On  motion,  Charles  A.  Kinch  was  elected  Clerk. 

The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Session  gave  a  report  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  meeting  of  the  Session,  at  whicli  it  was 
decided  to  call  this  j?a;v'sA  meeting. 

The  call  of  the  meeting  was  read. 

It  was  moved  that  we  proceed  to  the  election  of  a 
pastor  for  this  church.     Carried  unanimously. 

Nominations  were  in  order.  Rev.  S.  W.  Crittenden 
was  nominated,  and  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  was  nom- 
inated.     Both  these  were  seconded. 

On  motion,  two  tellers  were  appointed,  viz.,  William 
W.  Connoly  and  Joseph  S.  Clark. 

The  oi'der  of  the  Session  in  regard  to  the  ballot  vvas 
stated  by  the  Moderator. 

It  was  moved  to  add  to  the  tellers  two,  to  act  as  super-  3 
visors  of  election.    Messrs.  John  T.  Lavverence  and  James 
M.  French  were  nominated.     Carried. 

The  ballots  were  distributed  and  taken,  each  voter 
depositing  his  ballot  at  the  desk,  and  having  his  name 
recorded. 

The  result  was  announced  as  follows  : 

For  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 117 

"     S.  W.  Crittenden 88 

''       "     G.   C.  Milne 1 

Blank 2 


•208 
There  were  but  206  names  recorded. 


()S 


The  Moderator  exhorted  the  minority  to  renounce  in- 
dividual preferences,  and  accept  the  candidate  chosen  by 
the  majority. 

It  was  moved  that  the  call  be  made  unanimous. 

The  Moderator  ruled  that  this  was  the  only  motion 
in  order,  and  that  he  could  get  the  voice  of  the  people 
only  by  a  vote  ;  to  find  out  how  far  the  minority  will 
yield,,and  how  far  the  majority  will  insist. 

A  division  being  had,  119  voted  aye,  and  57  voted  no. 

It  was  moved  that  a  call  be  made  out  for  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey  to  be  pastor  of  this  church.     Carried. 

The  Moderator  read  the  form  of  a  call,  with  blank 
dollars  and  blank  day,  and  asked,  "How  will  you  fill 
the  blank  for  salnry  >"' 

It  was  moved  that  the  salary  be  fixed  at  $2,500.  A 
division  was  called  for. 

It  was  i-uled  that  all  who  voted  upon  the  other  ques- 
tion may  vote  on  this. 

The  motion  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  72  ayes  and  63 
noes. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  payments  be  made  semi-an- 
nually. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  use  of  the  parsonage  be  added. 

It  was  luled  that  this   meeting  may  subscribe  to  the 
Ciill  by  every  person  signing  it,  or  by  the  signatui'es  of 
^     the  elders  and  deacons,  or  those  of  the  trustees,  or  of  a 
select  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

It  was  moved  that  the  call  be  subscribed  to  by  the 
elders  and  trustees.     Carried. 

The  Moderator  exhorted  all  the  members  of  this 
church  and  congregation  to  let  their  afiections  for  this 
church  of  historic  memories  rise  above  individual  pref- 
erences, and  go  home  with  tlie  satisfaction  of  having 
4  done  their  duty,  and  submit  to  what  seems  to  be  the 
orderings  of  Divine  Providence. 

It  was  moved  that  a  sincere  vote  of  thanks  be  ten- 
dered to  Dr.  E.  Kempshall  for   his  able,  courteous,  and 


69 


impartial  rulings  and  conduct  of  this  meeting.     Carried 
unanimously. 

The  meeting  adjourned  with  prayer. 

The  Minutes  were  read  and  accepted. 

DR.  E.  KEMPSHALL. 

Moderator. 
CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 

Clerk. 
"  A  true  copy." 

CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 

Clerk. 


EXHIBIT  L. 

BRIEF  OF  DR.  F.  A.  KINCH,*  JULY  7,  AS  READ 
BY  HIM  BEFORE  PRESBYTERY  OF  ELIZA- 
BETH. 

To  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  : 

We,  the  commissioners  appointed  by  a  meeting  of  the 
minority  of  the  late  parish  meeting  held  in  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  Westfield,  N.  J.,  June  IJ,  1874,  beg 
leave  to  present  to  your  honorable  body  the  following 
reasons  for  protesting  against  presenting  the  call  made 
at  the  late  parish  meeting  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKel- 
vey. 

1.  We  protest  against  the  presentation  of  the  call  to 
Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey,  as  we  do  not  believe  the  candidate 
in  the  majority  was  properly  before  the  congregation, 
he  having  been  on  a  former  occasion  befoie  the  people, 
and  having  been  discharged  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the 


*  Dr.  Kinch  presented  substantially  the  same  brief  to  the  Presbyterial 
Commission  in  November,  enlarged  and  adapted  to  that  state  of  the  case. 


4 


70 


congregation,  as  the  following  resolutions  fully  show — 
parish  meeting  held  January  28,  1S74  : 

1  Besolved,  That  this  church  and  congregation  prosecute 
the  call  for  these  two  candidates  no  further. 

Resolved,  That  these  two  candidates,  viz.,  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey  and  Rev.  E.  H.  Camp,  be  discharged 
as  candidates  for  the  [)astorate  of  tliis  church  and  con- 
gregation. 

And  further,  the  Session  refused  to  present  his  name 
a  second  time.  He  has  not  been  before  the  congrega- 
tion to  [)reach,  or  on   any  other  occasion,  since  Decem- 

2  ber  28,  1873,  more  than  six  months  ago. 

One  of  the  Session,  Mr.  E.  M.  Pierson,  in  a  conversation 
with  him  last  Friday,  told  me  that  the  Session  did  not 
bring  him  before  the  people,  and  that  his  coming  before 
the  church  was  none  of  the  Session's  doings.  And  on 
the  4th  of  July  I  called  on  the  Clerk  of  the  Session.  He 
informed  me  that  tliey,  tlie  Session  and  trustees,  held  a 
union  meeting  May  4tli,  1874,  and  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey 
was  recommended  to  the  Session  by  the  trustees.  There 
not  being  a  full  Session,  a  committee  was  a[)pointed  to 

3  call  on  the  absent  members  and  report  at  the  next  meet- 
ing, May  Sth,  1874,  at  which  time  the  Session  met  and 
adjourned  without  any  action,  any  further  than  the 
committee  reported  that  they  had  seen  Rev.  Mr.  McKel- 
vey, and  he  was  at  leisure,  and  that  the  committee  had 
called  on  the  absentees,  and  two  of  them  did  not  acqui- 
esce. After  much  conversation  on  the  state  of  the 
church,  the  Session  adjourned. 

There  being  no  candidate  oi-  supply  before  the  con- 
gregation, it  was  recommended  by  Deacon  Squire  Pier- 
son  that  Rev.  S.  W.  Crittenden  be  invited  to  preach, 
and  atter  supplying  the  pulpit  one  Sabbath,  and  on  be- 
ing invited  to  come  again  on  the  following  Sabbath 
(which  was  communion  season),  Mr.  Crittenden  asked 
the  committee  the  question,  "Is  there  any  other  candi- 


71 


date  before  the  people  ?  If  so,  I  would  rather  you  would 
dispose  of  him  first."  The  coiniiiitteo  told  him  that 
there  was  no  other  candidnte  before  the  people.  This 
was  May  3Jst,  1S74  (eleven  days  before  the  parish 
meeting). 

2.  We  fuither  protest  against  presenting  the  call  to  Mr. 
McKelvey  on  account  of  illegal  votes  cast,  and  other 
votes  of  doubtful  legality,  at  the  late  parish  meeting. 

Proofs  :  Accoiding  to  the  clerk's  minutes,  there  were 
206  names  recorded  as  voters,  and  20S  ballots  counted, 
i.  e.,  there  were  two  iiiore  ballots  cast  than  there  were 
voters.  The  Moderator  I'uled  that  one  ballot  be  taken  from 
each  side.     We  ask.  Did  that  make  the  election  legal  ? 

Illegal  votes  were  cast  by  the  following  named  per- 
sons :  Mrs.  Isaac  LittelK  wliose  husband  pays  pew  rent, 
and  the  pew  is  in  his  name.  She  is  not  a  pew-holder, 
and  is  not  a  church  member.  Mis.  Zoplier  Hetfield — 
siie  jjas  no  jx'vv,  and  is  not  a  church  member. 

Voters  of  doubtful  legality  :  Charles  H.  French,  Ed- 
die E.  French,  William  C.  Terry,  and  William  C.  Pier- 
son,  wliose  liames  were  not  on  the  books  of  the  trustees, 
as  given  by  the  collector  of  the  pew  rent,  twenty-four 
houis  before  the  time  of  pnrish  meeting.  Edward  E. 
French  and  William  C.  Terry,  when  asked  how  they 
came  to  vote  on  election  at  tlie  parish  meeting,  replied 
that  they  had  their  receipts  in  their  pockets,  and  that 
they  iiad  rented  their  seats  the  niglit  before  parish  meet- 
ing. 

William  C.  Pierson  is  a  young  man  in  a  grocery  store 
in  Cranford — has  not  been  identified  with  Westfield  for 
four  years  past.  His  father  h;is  rented  his  pew  ever 
since  the  churcli  was  built  (12  years).  And  we  have 
good  reason  to  believe  that  many  had  rented  pews  since 
the  first  parish  meeting  who  were  never  before  identi- 
fied with  the  church  and  congregation.  John  H.  Lever- 
idge  told  me  about  two  weeks  ago,  in  my  office,  that  he 
rented  a  sitting  in  the  section  of  his  employer,  Mr.  Mof- 
fett,  and  that  he  paid  Mr.  Moffett  $2.50  for  the  sitting 


72 


for  one  year,  and  that  Mr.  MofFett  had  charged  him  with 
that  amount  on  his  books,  and  that  he  never  made  any 
contract  with  the  trustees  for  pew  rent.  He  voted  at 
parish  meeting. 

We  protest  against  the  presenting  of  this  call  on  ac- 
count of  the  rehitive  strength  of  the  apparent  minority 
to  tliat  of  the  majority  at  the  parish  meeting. 

At  the  late  parish  meeting  there  were  206  votes  cast. 
They  voted  as  foHows  : 

MAJ.       MIN. 

Members  of  Westfield  church 73       72 

Members  of  other  churches,  but  pew-holders  4  4 
Not  church  members,  but  pew-holdei's 38        15 

115        91 
Total  number  of  votes 206 

Taking  the  Christian  families  whose  united  heads  are 
members  of  the  church,  we  find  tliat  their  votes  repre- 
sent as  follows,  as  to  the  number  of  families  : 

MAJORITY.      MINORITY. 

Man  and  wife  members 34  37 

Wife  a  member  and  father  not 15  15 

Non-communicants 19  3 

Another  proof  as  to  the  strength  of  the  church,  as  to 
who  have  been  and  who  continue  to  be  the  supporters, 
or  at  least  doing  their  full  proportion,  in  sustaining  the 
church  and  defraying  contingent  expenses. 

By  reference  to  the  subscripiion  book  for  building  the 
church  in  1861,  those  who  subscribed  to  the  church 
building,  and  one  or  other  of  the  parties  are  living,  are 
as  follows — 

Those  who  voted,  and  who  represent  the  majority, 
minority,  and  not  voting  : 


73 


MAJORITY.         MINORITY.      NOT   VOTING. 

Subscription...    $1,735  $0,030         $2,350 

Ratio  is  as  ]  to  3.4S. 

And  as  proof  that  the  minority  still  continues  to  sup- 
port the  church,  we  refer  you  to  the  subscription  book 
for  an  extension  to  our  lecture-room,  1S72  and  1S73  : 

Those  who  voted  in  the 

M.\JOKITY.        MINORITY.      NEUIRAL. 

Am't  of  subscription $477.23     $8S 1. 25     $S52.7G 

Ratio  as  i  to  1.S5. 

And  we  further  beg  leave  to  refer  your  body  to  a  vol- 
untary subscription  to  Rev.  E.  B.  Edgar,  on  resigning 
his  charge  in  Westfield  : 

Those  who  voted  in  the  majority  contributed. .    $251.00 

"  "        minority  "  . .      250.00 

Neutral,  deceased,  or  moved  away 66.50 

Taxable  Property  for  1873. 

Those  who  voted  in  the  majority  taxed $136,350 

"  "  "        minority     '•      283,775 

Ratio  as  1  to  2.08.    Taken  from  Assessor's  book  for  1873. 

3 

Mr.  Moderator,  you  may  ask  who  pay  the  most  pew- 
rent.  This  item  I  have  endeavored  to  obtain  of  the 
trustees.  I  called  on  Mr.  Orrin  Pierson,  the  collector 
of  pew  rents,  and  a  trustee,  July  6,  1874,  and  asked 
him  if  he  would  do  me  the  favor' to  allow  me  to  go  into 
his  feed-store — for  there  it  was  he  kept  his  books — that 
I  wished  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  pew  rent  paid.  He 
answered  he  could  not  let  me  see  the  books  without  an 
order  from  the  trustees.  I  asked  him  how  I  could  ob- 
tain consent,  of  the  trustees.  He  answered  I  would 
have  to  see  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  4 
request  him  to  call  a  meeting.  I  asked  him  who  was 
president  of  the  board.  He  replied,  Mr.  William  W. 
Connoly.  In  a  few  moments  after  I  saw  Mr.  Connoly. 
10 


74 


I  asked  him  if  he  was  president  of  the  board.  He  re- 
plied he  was.  I  asked  him  if  I  could  have  the  privilege 
of  looking  thioiigh  the  church  books  under  the  direction 
^  of  the  collector,  Mr.  Pierson.  He  replied  that  if  Mr. 
Pierson  was  a  mind  to  let  me  have  the  books,  he  didn't 
care  anything  about  it.  Whereupon  Mr.  Pierson  replied 
that  in  his  opinion  no  one  had  a  right  to  examine  the 
books'unless  it  was  a  committee  appointed  by  the  parish 
meeting  especially  for  that  purpose.  I  then  asked  Mr. 
Connoly,  the  president,  if  he  would  call  a  meeting  of 
the  trustees.     He  said  "  not  to-day."^ 

We  further  protest  against  the  presenting  of  this  call 
to  Mr.  McKelvey,  in  behalf  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 

2  eight  (li^S)  remonstrants,  who  have  signed  their  names 
in  good  faith  ;  but  of  this  number  one  hundred  and  nine 
(109)  are  members  of  the  church  in  good  and  regular 
standing,  and  all  the  others,  although  not  church  mem- 
bers, are  pew-holders,  sound  supporters  of  the  church, 
and  who  contribute  theii'  just  pioportion  to  all  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  church,  as  their  names  will 
fully  show.t 

Taken  from   the  Session  books,  we  have  238  church 
members'  names  on  the  books  ;  and  on  examination,  we 

3  find  only  190  active  present  members  among  this  list. 
The  others  are  either  deceased,  out  of  the  place,  or  so 
very  infirm  that  they  are  no  longer  able  to  take  any 
part  in  the  church  ;  and  we  here  piesent  to  you  the 
names  of  one  hundred  and  nine  regular  church  members, 
representing  more  than  one  lialf  of  the  church,  as  re- 
monstrants to  this  call. 

And,  in  conclusion,  Mr.  Moderator,  allow  me  to  say, 

that  on  this  honorable  body  rests  a  fearful  responsibility. 

Your  decision  relative  to  our  much-cherished  church  in 

Westfield  this  day  decides,  for  weal  or  woe,  the  future 

*  destiny  of  our  church  of  "  historic  memory." 

We  come  to  you  as  our  o-nly  means  of  redress.     We 

*  See  Nixon's  Digest  4  ed.,  p.  803,  $  6.    See  note  to  Ex.  W,  Appendix. 
t  See  Exhibit  W. 


75 


have  failed  to  leani  whether  the  candidate  will  accept 
the  call  or  not ;  but  we  learn  that  he  has  decided  to  leave 
it  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery.  The  ruling  of  our  Mod- 
erator at  the  late  parish  meeting  was,  as  I  understood 
him  to  say,  that  our  remedy  was  to  appeal  to  Presby- 
tery ;  and  we  do  appeal  to  you,  and  plead  with  you  that 
you  will  withhold  this  call,  and  permit  us  to  select  a 
man  who  will  unite  the  hearts  of  our  people  and  make 
us  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  We  therefore  leave  this  ap- 
peal in  your  hands,  trusting  that  you  may  be  guided 
and  directed  by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  to  do  all 
things  with  an  eye  single  to  his  glory  and  the  prosperity 
of  Zion. 

(as  submitted  by)      Dr.  F.  A.  KINCH. 


EXHIBIT  M. 

RECORDS  OF  STATED  CLERK  OF  ELIZABETH 
PRESBYTERY. 

Extracts  J rom  the   Mh) uf.es  nf  the  Frecbyfcry  of  Elizabeth, 
Synod  of  New  Jersey,  being   a   Record  of  nil  that  has 
been  done  by  this  Presbytery  from  the  time  of  the  Meeting  3 
of  Synod  to  the  y  resent  date  in  regard  to  the  Westfeld 
matter. 

Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  March  22,  1875. 

SYNOD'S  ACTION  ON  COMPLAINT  OF  REV    S.  S.  SHEDDAN 
AND  APPEAL  OF  C.  B.  RIPLEY,  ETC. 

Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  Nov.  9th,  1874. 
The  Stated  Clerk  submitted  to  Presbytery  a  certified 
copy  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey  at  its  late 
meeting  in  the  City  of  Camden,  touching  the  Complaint 
of  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan  and  others,  and  the  Appeal  4 
and  Complaint  of  C.  B.  Ripley  and  others,  whicfi  had 
been  submitted  to  that  body.  Said  action  is  as  follows, 
viz. : 


76 


Extract  froin  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey,  in 
session  ut  Camden,  October  23,  1S74. 

The  committee  appointed  to  bring  in  a  Minute  setting 
forth  its  decision,  and  the  grounds  thereof,  in  the  case  of 
the  Comphiint  ot  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddan  and  others, 
presented  a  report  which  was  accepted. 

The  parties  in  Judicial  Case  No.  3,  which  was  the 
Appeal  of  C.  B.  Ripley  and  others  from  the  decision  of 
the  Presb3'tery  of  Elizabeth,  touching  the  same  matters 
of  which  Dr.  Sheddan  and  others  had  complained,  ex- 
pressed their  assent  to  this  report,  whereupon  it  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Synod  sustains  the  Complaint  and  the  Appeal, 
the  force  of  this  judgment  being  not  to  reverse  the  ac- 

2  tion  of  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  and  declare  the  pro- 
ceedings void;  but  the  Synod  judge  that  the  Presby- 
tery was  irregular  and  unduly  liasty  in  its  action  in 
the  matter  of  tlie  installation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey 
arid  in  disregarding  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  mi- 
nority of  the  congregation  of  Westfield,  and  also  the 
opinion  of  the  minority  of  Presbytei  y. 

In  view  of  all  the  facts,  the  Synod  directs  the  Presby- 
tery of  Elizabetli  to  reconsider  its  action  in  this  whole 
matter,  and  after  giving  a  full  hearing  to  tlie  majority 
and  the  minority  of  the  congregation  of  Westfield,  to  de- 
termine whether  the  [)astoral    relation   of  the  Rev.  Mr. 

o  McKelvey  to  the  church  of  Westfield  shall  be  continued 
01'  dissolved. 

A  true  extract.  Attest, 

J.  B.  DAVIS, 

Stated  Clerk. 


WESTFIELD   MATTERS   EECONSIDERED  —  ACTION   IN 
REGARD  TO. 

The  above  extract  was  read,  whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  this  Presbytery,  in  accordance  with  the 

4  direction  of  Synod,  now  "  reconsider  its  action  in  the 

whole   matter"   of  the  calling  and  installation  of   the 

Rev.   Alexander    McKelvey    over    the    congregation    of 

Westfield,  with  a  view  to  the  hearing  ordered  above. 


77 


Inquiry  was  then  made  by  the  Moderator  whether  the 
majority  and  the  minority  of  Westfield  congregation  are 
present  by  their  representatives,  and  ready  to  be  heard 
at  this  time.  Representatives  of  the  majority  reported 
themselves  present  and  ready  to  be  heard.  Those  of  the 
minority  were  present,  but  not  ready  to  be  heard. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  to 
consist  of  the  Moderator  as  chairman,  and  of  two  other 
ministers  and  two  ruling  elders,  one  of  each  class  to  be 
chosen  from  the  majority  and  the  minority  of  Presby- 
tery, respectively,  upon  this  question.  This  committee 
shall  confer  with  lepresentatives  of  the  majority  and  mi-  ^ 
nority  of  Westfield  congregation,  and  if  no  adjustment 
of  existing  difficulties  be  agreed  upon  at  such  conference, 
shall  have  power,  in  conjunction  with  the  Session  of 
Westfield  church,  to  call  a  parish  meeting  to  ascertain 
the  sense  of  Westfield  congregation  as  to  the  contin- 
uance of  the  present  pastoral  relation,  and  shall  report 
the  whole  proceedings  to  Presbytery  at  a  meeting  to  be 
held  on  Monday,  Dec.  7,  1S74,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  in 
the  lecture-room  of  Westminster  Church,  Elizabeth. 


COMMITTEE  ON  WESTFIELD  MATTERS. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  above  resolution 
consists  of  the  following  persons,  with  their  alternates 
respectively,  viz.  : 

Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts,  D.  D.,  chairman  ;  Rev.  T.  S. 
Brown,  with  W.  H.  Roberts,  alternate  ;  Rev.  J.  C.  Bliss, 
with  J.  De  Hart  Bruen,  alternate. 

Rulina:  Elders:  Samuel  Milliken,  with  N.  U.  Voor- 
hees,  alternate  ;  T.  H.  Shafer,  with Williams,  al- 
ternate. 


78 


Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  December  7,  1874. 

Presbytery  met,  according  to  adjournment,  at  10 
o'clock.  A.  M.,  in  the  Westminster  Church,  and  was 
opened  with  prayer. 

In  view  of  the  solemn  interests  depending  on  our  ac- 
tion at  this  time,  fifteen  minutes  more  were  spent  in  de- 
votional exercises.         ****## 

EEPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  WESTFIELD. 

The  report  of  the  committee  appointed  on  the  9th  of 
November  to  visit  the  Westfield  church  was  presented 
and  read,  together  with  all  the  papers  pertinent  thereto. 

Resolved,  That  this  report  be  accepted. 
2 

PETITION  FROM  WESTFIELD— PETITION  REFERRED. 

In  connection  with  this  report,  a  petition  for  the  dis- 
solution of  the  pastoral  relation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey  with  the  church  and  congregation  of  West- 
field  was  presented  on  behalf  of  the  minority  of  the 
Westfield  church.* 

On  motion,  this  petition  was  referred  to  the  existing 
committee  on  Westfield  for  consideration,  and  the  com- 
mittee had  leave  to  retire.     The  Moderator  being  chair- 
3  man  of  this  committee,  requested  the  Rev.  Mr.  Street  to 
preside  during  his  absence. 

PETITION  FROM  WESTFIELD  ANSWERED. 

2:30  P.  M. — The  committee  to  whom  the  petition  of 

certain    members   of  the    church    and    congregation    of 

Westfield  had  been  referred  presented  their  report,  which 

was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows,  viz. : 

Your  committee  having  carefully  read  the  petition  re- 
ferred to  them,  and  the  accompanying  papers,  find  the 
same  to  be  a  petition  for  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation  :  but  whereas  they  recite  at  great  length  the 
statements  already  made  before  your  committee,  and 
whereas  it  was  agreed  that  the  representations  made  be- 

*  Petitions  found  on  page  34  et  scq.  above. 


79 


fore  the  committee  should  be  final,  and  whereas  the  sub- 
stance of  these  statements  has  been  fully  given  to  Pres- 
bytery in  the  report  of  the  committee  lead  this  morning  ; 
tlierefbre  we  do  not  deem  the  leading  of  these  papers  ; 
advisable,  but  recommend  that  they  be  received  and 
placed  on  file. 

WILLIAM  C.  ROBERTS, 

Chairman. 

MAJORITY  AND  MINORITY  HEARD  — HOUSE  CLEARED— 
WESTFIELD  CONSIDERED. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  adopted,  viz.  : 

Resolved,  1.  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Presbytery, 
the  majority  and  the  minority  of  Westfield  congregation    „ 
have  been  fully  heard. 

2.  That  we  now  go  into  secret  session,  while  de- 
liberating upon  the  report  of  our  committee.* 

The  Moderator  accordingly  jequested  all  persons 
present,  and  not  being  members  of  this  body,  to  wiih- 
draw,  which  they  did. 

Presbytery  then  [troceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the 

report  of  the  committee  on  the  Westfield  church,  when 

the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  presented, 

viz. : 

3 

PREAMBLE  AND  RESOLUTIONS  OFFERED. 

Whereas,  The  Synod  of  New  Jeisey  has  directed  the 
Presbytery  to  reconsider  its  action  in  the  whole  matter 
of  the  call  and  installation  of  the  Rev.  Alexjinder  McKel- 
vey,  and  thereafter  to  decide  whether  said  relation  shall 
be  continued  or  dissolved. 

And  whereas,  this  Presbytery  has  carefully  and  fully 
reconsidered  the  whole  matter ;  therefoi'e. 

Resolved,  1-  That,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery, 
the   pastoral    relation    now    existing    between    the  Rev. 
Alexander  McKelvey  and  the  church  at  Westfield  should   ^ 
be  and  hereby  is  continued. 

*  On  motiou  of  Rev.  E.  Kempshall. 


80 


2.  That,  in  view  of  irregularity  as  to  itjcliiding  the 
use  of  the  parsonage  in  the  salary  of  Mr.  McKelvey,  the 
congregation  be  instructed  to  reconsider  this  matter  at 
their  next  annual  parish  meeting,  and  take  the  proper 
action  for  including  the  use  of  the  parsonage  in  the  sal- 
ary. 

3.  That  the  thanks  of  the  Presbytery  are  hereby  ten- 
dered to  our  committee  for  the  faitlifuhiess  and  earnest- 
ness with  which  they  have  performed  their  duties. 

Recess  until  7^  o'clock. 

7^  o'clock. — The  entire  evening  session  was  devoted 
to  the  consideration  of  the  above  resolutions. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  9:15  o'clock. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  Dec.  S,  1S74,  ) 
2  o'clock  P.  M.  S 


WESTFIELD  RESUMED— RESOLUTIONS  ADOPTED. 

The  consideration  of  the  resolution  relating  to  West- 
field  was  resumed.    After  much  discussion,  the  previous 
3 

question  was  called  for  and  ordered. 

The  vote  was  then  taken,  when  the  first  resolution 
was  adopted  by  a  majority  of  twenty-five  to  fifteen,  and 
the  second  and  third  resolutions  unaniiriously. 

Recess  until  7:30  P.  M. 

7:30  P.  M. 

C.  B.  RIPLEY'S  PAPER  DISPOSED  OF. 

A  paper  purporting  to  be  an  Appeal  and  Complaint 

4  of  C.  B.  Ripley   and    others  against   the   action   of  the 

committee  of  this  body  touching  the  affairs  of  West  field 

church  and  congregation,  was  presented  and  read,  and  in 

relation  thereto  it  was 


SJ 


Rewlced,  That  this  Presbytery  having  had  the  report 
and  the  action  of  their  committee  thoroughly  under  re- 
view, having  approved  of  tlie  same,  and  having  taken 
action  in  regard  to  the  diHiculcies  at  Westfield  in  accori  - 
ance  witli  the  letter  and  spirir  of  the  direction  of  Synod, 
finds  nothing  in  this  pa[)er  which  re(]uii'es  or  justifies 
further  action. 

DISSENT  AND  PROTEST  FROM  WESTFIELD  DISPOSED  OF. 

The  committee  on  tlie  dirticulties  at  Westtield,  in  con- 
nection with  their  report,  pi-esented  also  a  Dissent  and 
Protest  of  the  minority  of  said  church  against  their  [tro- 
ceedings  ;  and  v\ith  it  their  answer  to  the  same.  In  re- 
lation thereto  it  was 

llesolved,  That,  iiaving  heard  ther-e  papers,  all  the  ac- 
tion required  is  to  place  them  on  file  with  the  Stated 
Clerk  ;    which  is  hereby  ordeied. 

SUNDRY  PAPERS  PUT  ON  FILE. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  instructed  also  to  [)reserve  in 
the  same  manner  the  report  of  the  comm.ittee  on  West- 
field,  the  Minutes  of  tlieir  several  meetings,  and  the 
Minutes  of  the  parish  meeting  of  Westfield  congi'egation 
held  at  their  request.  Also  tlie  two  documents  from 
the  minority  above  disposed  of,  viz.  :  The  Petition  for 
the  Dissolution  of  the  Pastoral  Relation,  and  the  alleged 
Appeal  and  Complaint  against  the  pi"oceedu)gs  of  the 
Committee. 

On  comparison  of  the  above  extracts  made  by  Dr. 
Charles  A.  Kinclj  from  the  Minutes  of  Presbytery  in  my 
possession,  I  find  them  to  be  correct. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Staled  Cl(  rk  PresbijUnj  of  Elizabeth. 

Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  March  2-2,  1875. 
U 


82 


EXHIBIT  N. 

MINUTES  OF  PRESBYTERIAL  COMMITTEE  OR 
COMMISSION. 

"  Westfield,  N.  J.,  November  19,  1874. 

Tlie  committee  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Eliza- 
beth at  its  session  November  9th,  in  the  lecture-room  of 
the  First  Church  at  Elizabeth,  under  the  order  of  the 
Synod  of  Nevi^  Jersey,  directing  the  Presbytery  "  to  re- 
consider its  action  in  the  whole  matter  of  the  call  and 
installation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  over  the 
congregation  at  Westfield,"  njet  in  tlie  lecture-room  at 
Westfield,  on  Thursday,  Nov.  19,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 

There  wei'e  present  as  follows  : 

Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts,  D.  D.,  chairman  ;  Rev.  John  C. 
Bliss,  Rev.  Theo.  S.  Brown,  Elder  Samuel  Milliken, 
Elder  T.  Shafer. 

The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Rev.  J.  C. 
Bliss. 

Jlev.  Tlieo.  S.  Brown  was  chosen  clerk. 

The  chairman  then  read  the  resolution  of  Piesbytery 
by  which  the  committee  was  appointed,  and  which  is 
as  follows  : 

Besolved,  That  a  comiriittee  of  five  be  appointed,  to 
consist  of  the  Moderator  as  chairujan,  and  of  two  other 
ministers,  and  two  elders  (one  of  each  class  chosen  from 
the  mnjority  and  the  minority  of  Presbytery,  respective- 
ly, upon  the  question),  this  committee  to  confer  with  the 
representatives  of  the  m;ijority  and  minority  of  Westfield 
congregation,  and,  fuither,  if  no  adjustment  of  existing 
difficulties  be  agreed  upon  at  such  conference,  that  the 
committee  then,  in  conjunction  with  the  Session,  call  a 


par 


ish  raeetinff  to  ascertain  the  sense  of  the  Westfield 


'O 


83 


congregation  as  to  the  continuance  of  the  present  pasto- 
ral relation — the  committee  to  report  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings to  Piesbytery  at  a  meeting  to  be  held  Decem- 
ber 7,  1874,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  in  the  Westminster 
Church,  Elizabeth. 

Committee  :  Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  Theo. 
S.  Brown,  and  W.  H.  Roberts,  alternate  ;  Rev.  John  C. 
Bliss,  and  J.  D.  Bruen,  alternate  ;  Elders  S.  Milliken, 
and  N.  W.  Voorhees,  alternate  ;  Elders  T.  Shafer,  and 
Job  Williams,  altei'nate. 

The  committee  adopted  the  following  rules  of  pro- 
cedure: 2 

Rule  I. — That  no  person  be  allowed  to  be  present 
but  the  several  commissioners  who  may  be  appointed  to 
represent  the  majority  and  the  minority  respectively  of 

the  Westfield  conorenation. 

o     o 

Rule  II. — That  four  commissioners  be  heard  in  be- 
half of  the  majority  and  minority  respectively. 

Rule  III. — That  the  commissioners  of  the  minority     3 
be  first  heard  in  full,  and  afterwards  the  commissioners 
of  the  majority,  after  which  hearing  the  commissioners 
shall  retire. 

Mr.  Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  presented  the  certificate  of 
the  appointment  of  the  following  commissioners  to  rep- 
resent the  minority,  viz. :  Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  Freder- 
ick A.  Kinch,  M.  D.,  John  T.  Lawrence,  James  0.  Clark. 

Mr.  Charles  W.  Beebe  presented  the  certificate  of  the 
appointment  of  the  following  commissioners  to  repre- 
sent the  majority,  viz.:  Charles  W.  Beebe,  William  W.  ^ 
Baker,  Addison  S.  Ciurk,  Squier  Pierson,  Evert  M.  Pier- 
son  as  alternate  for  Squier  Pierson.  The  alternate  was 
present  as  commissioner. 

Mr.  C.  B.  Ripley  and  F.  A.  Kinch,  M.  D.,  were  first 
heard  in  behalf  of  minority. 


S4 


Pending  the  heaving,  the  committee  took  recess  for 
tea  from  6  to  7  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Seven  o'clock  P.  M.— Mr.  C.  B.  Ripley,  J.  T.  Law- 
rence, and  James  O.  Clark  were  heard  until  hour  of  ad- 
journment at  9:4-5  P.  M. 

The  committee  adjourned  to  meet  on  Friday,  Nov. 
20,  at 2  P.  M.,  in  the  same  place. 

Westfield,  Nov.  20,  1874,  2  P.  M. 

The  committee  met  agreeable  to  adjournment,  in  the 
lecture-room  at  Westfield  at  2  P.  M.,  and  prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Theo.  S.  Brown. 

There  were  present  all  the  committee  and  all  the 
commissioners. 

After  a  few  remarks  by  the  minority,  Messrs.  Charles 
W.  Beebe,  W.  W.  Baker,  A.  S.  Clarkj  and  E.  M.  Pier, 
son  were  heard  in  behalf  of  the  majority. 

Pending  the  hearing,  the  committee  took  recess  for 
tea  from  6  to  7  o'clock  P.  M. 

Seven  o'clock  P.  M. — After  recess,  Mr.  E.  M.  Pierson 
was  heard  to  a  conclusion.  By  vote  of  the  committee, 
Mr.  C.  B.  Ripley  was  further  heard  as  to  new  matter 
introduced. 

Mr.  Charles  W.  Beebe  was  also  heard  to  the  same  ex- 
tent. 

The  committee  having  heard  all  the  commissioners  to 
their  entire  satisfaction,  uiged  upon  them  to  endeavor  to 
come  to  some  agreement  among  themselves.  The  sug- 
gestion was  well  received,  and  by  agreement  a  meeting 
of  conference  was  appointed  Nov.  24,  P.  M. 

The  committee  adjourned  to  meet  in  the  lecture-room 
Nov.  27,  2  o'clock  P.  M. 

Friday,  Nov.  27,  1874. 
The  committee  met  according  to  adjournment  in  the 
lecture-room  at  2  P.  M.     Prayer  was  offerei  by  Elder 
Milliken. 


85 


There  were  present  all  the  committee,  as  follows: 
Roberts,  Bliss,  Brown,  Elders  Milliken  and  Shafer,  and 
all  the  minority  and  majoi'ity  commissioners. 

Mr.  C.  B.  Ripley  lepoi  ted  that  at  a  meeting  of  the 
minority  of  the  congregation,  the  present  commissioners 
wei-e  empovvei'ed  to  conclude  a  definite  settlement  ot  the 
existing  difficultieSj  if  practicable. 

Mr.  Charles  W.  Beebe  reported  that  at  a  meeting  of 
the  majority  of  the  consregation,  the  commissioners 
were  instructed  to  conclude  no  arrangement  involving 
the  dissolution  of  the  present  pastoral  relations. 

Mr,  Ripley,  in  behalf  of  majority  and  minority  com- 
missioners, reported  that  no  meeting  was  held  on  the 
evening  of  Nov.  24,  owing  to  the  unavoidable  detention 
of  one  of  the  commissioners,  and  also  that  an  informal 
meeting  had  just  been  held  without  any  satisfactory  re- 
sult. 

It  being  apparent  that  the  Conference  could  not  ad- 
just existing  difficulties,  the  several  commissioners  re- 
tired, and  the  committee  entered  upon  examination  of 
documents  submitted  until  the  hour  for  recess.  Com- 
mittee took  recess  until  7:30  P.  M. 

7:30  P.  M. — The  committee  met  in  the  parlors  of  Mr. 
Beebe's  house.  After  much  <leliberation,  and  a  very 
free  and  full  exchange  of  views,  the  following  resolutions 
were  adopted  : 

Besolved,  I.  That  a  parish  meeting  of  the  congregation 
at  Westfield  be  called  "  (in  conjunction  with  the  Ses- 
sion) "  to  meet  in  the  church  edifice  on  Monday,  Nov. 
30,  at  4:30  P.  M.,  in  accordance  with  the  direction  of 
Presbytery. 

.  II.  That  the  sole  purpose  of  such  parish  meeting  is 
"to  ascertain  the  sense  of  Westfield  congregation  as  to 
the  continuance  of  the  present  pastoral  relation,"  and 
therefore  the  question  submitted  shall  be  in  form  as  fol- 
lows :  Shall  the  present  pastoral  relation  between  the 


SG 


Rev.  Alexnnder  McKelvey  and   the  Westfield  congrega- 
tion be  continued  ?     The  vote  to  be  Yes  or  No. 

III.  That  in  determining  who  are  voters  reference  be 
had  to  F.  of  G.  Sec.  4,  Chap.  XV. 

IV.  That  all  actual  pew-liolders,  whether  subletting 
from  another  pew-holder  or  dii'ectly  holding  theii"  seat 
from  the  Treasurei-,  are  entitled  to  vote. 

V.  Tiiat  there  shall  be  no  business  transacted  at  such 
meeting  except  that  specified  in  the  resolutions  of  Pres- 
bytery appointing  this  committee,  and  referred  to  in 
Resolution  2  of  these  resolutions. 

VI.  That  there  shall  be  no  discussion  upon  the  ques-. 
tion  submitted  to  vote,  inasmuch  as  all  parties  have  been 
fully  heard  before  the  committee. 

A  communication  was  sent  to  the  Session  asking 
them  to  call  a  pai'ish  meeting,  agreeable  to  suggestion 
of  Presbytery  and  the  desire  of  the  committee. 

The  committee  adjourned  to  meet  in  the  Westfield 
church  on  Monday,  Nov.  30,  4:30  o'clock  P.  M. 

Westfield,  Nov.  30,  1874. 

The  committee  met,  according  to  adjournment,  in  the 
church  at  Westfield  at  4:30  P.  M. 

Present — Ministers  Robr rts  and  Brown,  Eldeis  Shafer 
and  Milliken.     Absent — Bliss. 

The  Session  of  the  church  having  called  a  parish 
meeting,  as  requested  by  the  committee,  and  having  in- 
vited Dr.  Roberts  to  moderate  the  meeting,  the  congre- 
gation were  present  to  vote  upon  the  question  of  the 
continuance  of  the  pastoral  relation. 

The  vote  was  taken,  and  was  as  follows  :  177  yeas, 
93  nays,  2  blank. 

A  copy  of  the  Minutes  is  herewith  offered  as  a  part 
of  this  Minute. 

Chauncey  B.  Ripley,  of  minority,  offered  a  Protest  and 
Dissent,  which  is  appended  as  part  of  this  Minute. 


87 


Committee  adjourned  to  meet  in  the  study  of  Dr. 
Roberts  on  Friday,  Dec.  4,  at  2  P.  M. 

Dk.  Egberts'  Study,  Dec.  4,  1874. 
The  committee  met,  according  to  adjournment,  at  Dr. 
Roberts'  study  at  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  was  opened  with 
prayer  by  Elder  Siiafer. 

Present  —  Ministers  Roberts,  Bliss,  Brown,  Elders 
Shafer  and  Milliken.  The  Minutes  of  all  the  preceding 
meetings  were  read  and  approved  ;  also  the  summary  of 
statements  made  by  the  several  commissioners  before  the 
committee,  being  the  report  of  the  committee  to  Pres- 
bytery, was  approved. 

Dr.  Roberts  and  Elder  Shafer  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  answer  the  protest  presented  by  Mr.  Ripley. 

Adjourned. 

THEO.  S.  BROWN, 

Clerk. 

The  above  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  original,  which  is 
in  my  possession. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 
Stated  Clerk  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth. 


EXHIBIT  O. 

REPORT   OF   PRESBYTERIAL    COMMITTEE  OR 
COMMISSION. 

Your  committee,  in  addition  to  the  Minutes  of  their 
several  meetings,  beg  leave  to  report  to  Presbytery  the 
facts  in  reference  to  the  call  and  installation  of  Rev. 
Alexander  McKelvey  over  the  congregation  at  Westfield, 
and  also  the  present  state  and  condition  of  Westfield  '^ 
congregation,  in  order  that  Presbytery   may  reach  just 


ss 


conclusions  on  the  several  points  submitted  to  its  deci- 
sion. The  first  duty  enjoined  upon  your  coniniittee 
was  "  to  confer  with  the  representatives  of  the  majority 

^  and  minority  of  Westfield  congregation  " — such  confer- 
ence haviiig  as  its  ultimate  end  '"the  adjustment  of 
existing  difficulties."  As  staled  in  the  Minutes,  tiie  com- 
mittee met  with  representative  commissioners  of  major- 
ity aifd  minority,  in  the  lectuie-room  at  Westtield,  on 
Thursday,  Nov.  19,  at  2  P.  M. 

The  committee  organized  and  adopted  such  rules  as 
would  prescribe  some  reasonable  limit  to  the  conference, 
and  yet  not  prevent  the  utmost  liberty  of  speech  and 
completeness  ol  statement.  The  several  commissioners 
of  majority  and  minority  accepted  these  rules  as  entirely 
satisfactory.     The  committee  at  this  point  beg  leave  to 

2  .say  that  it  was  their  purpose  to  encourage  the  most 
complete  statement  of  all  facts  bearing  upon  the  ques- 
tion before  them.  For  the  purpose  of  greater  clearness, 
the  committee  will  first  state  the  points,  pro  and  con,  as 
to  the  call  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  at  parish  meet- 
ing of  June  1 1,  1S74. 

Parish  Meeting,  June  11,  1S74. 
That  this  meeting  was  properly  called  and  organized 
is  conceded,  but  the  minority  claim  that  its  proceedings 
^     were  irregular,  and  calculated  to  promote  discord,  and 
impair  the  best  interests  of  the  Church. 

In  proof  of  which  they  submit  these  points  : 

Point  I.  That  the  Moderator  refused  tlie  reading  of 
the  Minutes  of  the  special  parish  meeting  of  January  28, 
1874,  and  also  of  the  annual  meeting  held  on  the  first 
Monday  in  April,  when  the  reading  was  called  for. 

4 

Point  II.  That  the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  could 

not  properly  be  a  candidate  at  the  meeting  of  June  11, 

since  a  resolution  was  passed  at  parish  meeting,  January 

28th,  in  words  following  : 


89 


Resolved,  That  these  two  candidates,  viz.,  Rev.  Alex- 
ander McKelvey  and  Rev.  E.  H.  Camp,  be  discliai-ged  as 
candidates  for  the  pastorate  of  this  congregation. 

1 

It   is   further  alleged  that  he    was   at  no  subsequent 

time  brought  before  the  congregation  as  a  candidate  by 
the  Session. 

Point  III.  That  it  was  unjust  to  the  minority  to  in- 
troduce his  name  at  parish  meeting  June  11,  when  the 
minority  did  not  introduce  the  name  of  Mr.  Camp. 

Point  IV.  That  several  illegal  votes  were  cast  at  this 

parish  meeting, 

2 
Point  V.  That  after  the  vote  was  taken,  showing  a 
minority  of  88  in  a  vote  of  206,  the  Moderator  used  no 
sufficient  endeavor  to  dissuade  the  congregation  from 
prosecuting  the  call,  as  require!  by  F.  of  G.,  Chap. 
XV.,  Sec.  5. 

Reference  is  made  to  the  Minutes  of  the  meeting,  and 
also  to  personal  knowledge. 

Point  VI.  The  motion  to  make  the  call  unanimous 
was   made   and   seconded  by   the   majority,  whereas  it  3 
should  have  been  made  by  the  minority. 

Point  VIL  That  the  vote  recorded  as  unanimous 
was  not  such,  it  being  as  follows  :    119  vs.  57. 

Point  VIII.  That  after  vote  taken  and  declared,  the 
Moderator  refused  ro  entertain  a  motion,  "That  we  are 
not  ready  to  elect  a  pastor," — such  motion  being  a  re- 
consideration. 

Point  IX.  That  the  ruling  of  the  Moderator  on  the  4 
point  who  may  vote  on   the  question   of  salary  was  not 
according  to  F.  of  G.,   his  ruling  giving  to  all   voters 
upon  the  call  right  to  vote  on  tlie  salary. 
12 


90 


Point  X.  That  no  opportunity  was  given  to  the 
members  of  the  congregation  to  express  their  views  on 
the  question  of  salary. 

Point  XL  That  the  parsonage  was  added  to  the  sal- 
ary without  any  vote  of  the  congregation. 

Point  XII.  It  is  in  general  charged  that  the  proceed- 
ings of  parish  meeting,  June  11,  were  irregular,  con- 
ducted' with  undu  '.  haste,  in  disregard  of  the  lights  of 
the  minority. 

The  Presbytery  will  remember  that  the  points  of  the 
minority  thus  far  presented  refer  exclusively  to  the  par- 
ish meeting  of  June  11,  1874. 


CONTKA. 

POINTS    OF    MAJORITY. 

Point  I.  The  majority  claim  that  the  reading  of  the 
Minutes  of  no  previous  meeting  was  essential  in  this 
meeting  of  June  11 — this  being  a  special  meeting,  for  a 
specified  purpose,  and  having  no  necessary  relation  to 

3  previous  meetings. 

Point  II.  That  the  resolution  of  the  meeting  of  Jan. 
28,  discharging  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  as  a  candi- 
date for  the  pastorate  of  the  Westfield  congregation,  was 
not  unanimously  adopted  ;  and,  further,  that  it  was  not 
of  the  nature  of  a,  compact  wliich  pi'ohibited  any  possi- 
ble candidacy  of  Mr.  McKelvey  at  any  time  future — in 
proof  of  this,  this  so-called  com{»act  was  not  raised  as  an 
objection  when  his  name  was  again  introduced  at  joint 
meeting  of  elders  and  trustees  held  May  4. 

4  And  the  majority  further  state  that  his  name  was  not 
introduced  for  some  months,  and  that  no  negotiations 
were  had  with  him  as  to  the  pastorate  until  the  meeting 
of  elders  and  trustees  May  4. 


91 


Point  III.— Ajjril  27.  That  at  a  meeting  of  the  Ses- 
sion held  April  27,  his  name  was  introduced  and  favor- 
ably received  by  several  of  the  elders. 

1 

Point  IV. — May  4.  That  at  a  joint  meeting  of  elders 
and  trustees  held  May  4,  at  which  were  present  seven 
elders  and  six  trustees,  the  name  of  Mr.  McKelvey  was 
introduced,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  see  him,  and 
enquire  if  he  was  unengaged;  and  that  this  action  was 
taken  by  a  vote  of  11  ayes — 1  refusing  to  vote,  and  1 
temporarily  absent. 

Point  V. — Maij  8.  That  at  a  second  joint  meeting  of  2 
elders  and  trustees,  held  May  8,  the  committee  reported 
Mr.  McKelvey  at  leisure,  but  inasmuch  as  two  elders 
were  unfavorable,  it  was  resolved  to  hear  Rev.  Mr.  Ciit- 
tenden,  hoping  that  in  him  all  wishes  might  be  gratified. 
A  committee  was  sent  to  confer  with  the  Presbyterial 
Committee  of  Church  Extension,  and  as  result  of  such 
conference  a  meeting  of  Session  was  held  on  or  about 
June  2,  moderated  by  Dr.  E.  Kempshall,  at  which  it 
was  resolved  to  call  a  parish  meeting  for  the  election 
of  a  pastor.  Seven  of  the  elders  agreed  to  acquiesce 
in  the  result.     One  was  silent,  and  two  refused. 

The  majority  further  allege  that  at  this  meeting,  when 
it  was  voted  to  call  a  parish  meeting,  Mr.  McKelvey 
was  before  the  Sesjsion  as  a  candidate. 


Point  VI.  That  after  the  vote  was  taken  and  de- 
clared, the  Moderator  did  in  spirit  and  intent  conform  to 
the  requirements  of  F.  of  G.,  Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  5,  as  wit- 
ness Minutes  of  said  meeting:  "The  Moderator  ruled 
that  a  vote  to  make  the  call  unanimous  was  the  only 
way  to  find  out  how  far  the  minority  will  yield,  and  how  '^ 
far  the  majority  will  insist;"  and  further,  that  the  ma- 
jority did  consider  themselves  as  insisting  upon  theii" 
right,  having  at  meeting  of  Jan.  28  waived  that  right. 


92 


Point  VII.  That  several  illegal  votes  were  cast  (not 
more  than  six),  unintentionally,  we  believe,  and  also 
legal  or  otherwise  as  the  rulings  of  the  Moderator  were 
right  or  wrong.  Of  them,  Mr.  Camp  received  four,  and 
Mr.  McKelvey  two. 

Point  VIII.  That  in  regard  to  the  rulings  and  other 
acts  af  the  Moderator  of  tlie  meeting  of  June  11,  they 
rest  upon  the  unanimous  decision  of  the  Presbytery  at 
its  meeting  July  7. 

Point  IX.  The  majority  does  not  admit  that  there 
was  any  violation  of  I'ight  or  honor  in  bringing  forward 
2  the  name  of  Alexander  McKelvey  at  the  parish  meeting 
of  June  11  ;  that  he  received  a  decided  majority  of  the 
votes  cast;  and  that  it  was  their  right  and  duty  to  in- 
sist upon  the  prosecution  of  the  call  there  given  ;  and 
that  they  did  pi'osecute  such  call,  honestly  seeking  the 
best  interests  of  Westfield  congregation. 

Thus  far  are  given  the  points  and  statements  made  by 
minority  and   majoi'ity   referiing  to  parish    meeting  of 
June  11,  and  your  committee  believe  this  to  be  a  fair 
o   and  impartial  statement. 

PRESBYTERIAL  MEETING,  JULY  7. 

In  the  next  place,  your  committee  will  submit  for 
your  information  the  points  and  statements  as  to  the 
meeting  of  Piesbytery  held  at  Elizabeth,  July  7: 

Minute  I.  The  Presbytery,  at  that  meeting,  had  no 
jurisdiction  in  tlie  case,  the  constitutional  notice  of  ten 
days  not  having  been  given.  Notice  was  leceived  by 
*  the  Clerk  of  Session,  July  2.  It  appears  also  that  Mod- 
erator of  Presbytery  did  send  a  notice  to  Westfield  Ses- 
sion June  23,  wliich,  for  some  reason,  did  not  come  into 
their  hands. — Presbyterial  Digest,  17S,  Sec.  10. 


i 


93 


II.  The  participation  and  votes  of  Dr.  E.  Kempshall 
vitiated  the  resolutions  and  all  the  judicial  acts  of  the 
Presbyter}^  he  having  been  Moderator  of  the  Judicatory 
whose    acts    were    under   review. — Presbyterial  Digest,  ^ 
607,  Sec.  7. 

III.  Presbytery  passed  upon  at  least  nine  points  sub- 
mitted, as  a  whole,  whereas  each  should  have  been  acted 
upon  separately. 

IV.  Each   and   every    point   was    decided   adversely, 

whereas  each  and  every  point  should  have  been  decided 

favorably,  and  the  election  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey 

should  have  been  declared  unconstitutional. 

2 

V.  Presbytery  lefused  a  stay  of  proceedings. 

VI.  The  resolutions  adopted  were  not  warranted  by 
the  facts. 

VII.  Undue  haste  was  shown  in  putting  the  call  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  McKelvey. 

VIII.  Mr.  McKelvey  was  not  a  member  of  this  or  any 
other  Presbytery  when  the  call  was  put  in  his  hands. 
And  it  is  claimed,  as  a  whole,  of  the  meeting  of  Presby-  3 
tery  July  7,  that  it  was  irregular,  unjust  to  the  minority, 
and  that  its  decision  to  put  the  call  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  McKelvey  was  highly  inexpedient. 

MajorUij. — The  majority  commissioners  could  hardly 
be  expected  to  vindicate  or  defend  Presbytery.  They 
simply  state  that  they  appeared  before  Presbytery  in  the 
exercise  of  their  constitutional  right  to  prosecute  the 
call  which  had  been  legally  given  Rev.  Alexander 
McKelvey,  and  were  well  satisfied  with  proceedings  of  4 
Presbytery  in  the  case. 

These  points  and  statements,  pro  and  con,  are  sub- 
mitted as  a  part  of  the  case  to  pass  under  the  i-eview  of 
this  Presbytery  by  direction  of  Synod. 


94 


PRESBYTERIAL  MEETING,  JULY  27. 

It  is  further  claimed  by  the  minority  that  at  Presby- 
1  terial  meeting  July  27,  the  proceedings  were  irregular, 
unjust  and  inexpedient. 

Irregular.,  in  that  it  refused  to  stay  proceeduigs  pend- 
ing the  ap[»eal  taken  to  Synod  as  against  the  action  of 
Presbytery  July  7. 

Unjust,  in  that  it  refused  to  receive   and  read  a  peti- 
tion presented  by  the  minority — said  petition  being  re- 
ceived and  referred  to  tlie  next  regular  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery, in  this  virtually  denying  the  right  of  petition. 
2 

Inexpedient,   in   that   Presbytei'y  proceeded  to    install 

Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  by  a  majority  of  only  one 
vote,  and  against  the  wishes  of  a  large  protesting  mi- 
nority. 

The  facts  and  statements  thus  far  submitted  bear 
wholly  upon  the  question  whether  in  the  series  of  acts 
terminating  in  the  installation  of  Rev.  Alexander  McKel- 
vey over  the  congregation  at  Westfield,  there  were  such 
irregularities  or  errors,  either  in  the  parish  meeting  or 
3  Presbytery,  as  to  invalidate  such  call  and  installation  or 
any  point  thereof? 

Your  committee  beg  leave  further  to  submit  facts  and 
statements  relating  to  the  wishes,  and  the  pi'esent  state 
and  condition  of  Westfield  congregation  ;  also,  some  sta- 
tistics which  may  bear  upon  the  propriety  of  the  instal- 
lation. 

1.  The  minority  represent  the  relative  strength  of  mi- 
nority and  majority  to  have  been  as  follows  in  parish 
meetinof  June  11. 

{a)  Church  strength  : 

Of  the  206  votes  cast  at  said  meeting  the  analysis 
shows — 


95 


MAJORIXy.  MINORITV. 

Members  of  Westfielcl  church 73  72 

Resident  members  of  other  churches    4  4 

Number  communicant  pew-holders. .  38  15 


115  91 

MAJORITY.      MINORITY. 

Of   Christian   families  where   united 

heads  are  church  members 34  37 

Wife  only  a  member 15  J 5 

Non-communicants 19  3 

Totals 68  55 

It  is  also  claimed  that,  with  a  church  roll  of  238 
members,  there  are  only  190  active  present  members, 
and  of  them  109  signed  the  remonstrance  addressed  to 
Presbyteiy,  July  7. 

(6)  Pecuniaiy  strength  : 

The  minority  refer  to  the  subscriptions  made  for  the 
erection  of  the  church  in  1861,  showing  a  ratio — njajor- 
ity,  I;  minority,  3.48-100.  Also  to  subscription  for  en- 
largement of  lecture-room  in  1873,  showing  a  ratio  of 
majority,  1  ;   minority,  1.85-100. 

Also  to  assessoi's  books  tor  1873,  showing — 

MAJORITY.  MINORITY. 

Taxable  property .  $136,330     $208,775 

It  is  chiinied  that  the  pecuniary  and  church  strength 
of  the  congregation  is  with  or  in  the  minority. 

They  further  represent  under  this  head  the  fact  that 
the  congregation  will  be  seriously  embarrassed  in  its 
finances.     The  exhibit  is  as  follows  : 

Total  rental  and  pews $2,776 

Less  pews  not  taken  and  unpaid 776 


Total  income $2,000 


96 


LIABILITIES. 


Pastor's  salary  first  year $2,000 

1  Sexton's  salary 200 

Coal  and  lights 200 

Repairs  and  incidentals 500 

$2,900 
Salary  as  per  call  additional 500 

Annual  expenditure $3,400 

II.  The  minority  submit  a  petition  asking  the  disso- 

2  lution  of  the  pastoi'al  relation,  having  upon  it  67  names, 
49  of  which  are  heads  of  families — that  said  petitioners 
are  sincere  and  honest,  and  hold  their  present  posi- 
tion from  the  purest  motives,  without  bitterness  or  ill 
feeling. 

III.  They  ask  j^ou  to  consider  a  divided  chuich,  a 
divided  Session,  a  divided  Sabbath-school,  a  divided 
prayer-meeting,  and  even  divided  families.  They  do 
not  admit  that   the   alienation  is  being  healed  by  the 

3  presence  of  Rev.  Alex.  McKelvey  in  their  midst,  but  is 
rather  increased  and  intensified.  They  see  no  probabil- 
ity of  uniting  at  any  future  time  in  the  present  pastor. 

They  are  irreconcilable. 

They  do  not  admit  that  any  alleged  prosperity  in  the 
church  is  due  to  Mr.  McKelvey. 

They  do  not  ask  for  a  pastor  who  would  be  obnox- 
ious to  others,  and  do  not  wish  to  be  compelled  to  sus- 
tain a  pastor  whom  they  cannot  lespect  and  love,  or 
be  driven  from  the  sanctuary  where  they  love  to  wor- 

4  ship. 

They  submit  as  their  ultimatum  ''  tlie  dissolution  oi 
the  present  pastoral  relation."  With  this  they  submit 
two  propositions  as  follows  : 


97 


1.  That  the  pastoral  relation  be  dissolved,  and  Rev. 
Alexander  McKelvey  (at  discretion  of  Presbytery)  con- 
tinue as  stated  supply  for  a  period  of  time  not  to  exceed 
one  year  from  June  J 1,  1S74. 

2.  That  the  pastoral  rehition  be  dissolved  and  the 
congregation  begin  de  novo  to  secure  a  pastor. 

MAJORITY— Cow^ra. 


1.  The  majority  present  as  conclusive  evidence  as  to 
piesent  feeling  a  petition  asking  for  the  continuance  of 
the  present  pastoral  relation,  signed  by  214  church 
members  and  pew-holders,  voters  in  Westfield  congre-  2 
gation.  Of  them  114  are  heads  of  families.  There  are 
also  -33  others  who  express  themselves  favorable,  but 
decline  to  sign  any  paper. 


o 


2.  They  further  state  that  their  pecuniary  strength 
corresponds  with  their  numerical  strength. 

They  refer  to  tax-list  of  taxes  assessed  this  1S74, 
which  shows  as  follows  : 

Taxes  paid  by  majority $5,274  50  ^ 

Taxes  paid  by  minority 2,076  61 

Those  favorable,  but  not  signing,  are  omitted  in  this 
statement.  If  admitted,  it  would  add  over  one  hundred 
dollars  to  majority. 

They  submit  this  as  a  much  more  reliable  exhibit  of 
pecuniary  strength  than  a  subscription  in  1861.  Thir- 
teen years  woiks  great  changes  in  a  village  within 
eighteen  miles  of  New  York  City. 

They  further  state  that  for  the  current  year  the  total   4 
pew-rents  is   $2,100,  of  which  the   minority   pay  one 
quarter. 

They  further  state  that  thei"e  is  no  fear  of  financial 
embarrassment — that  there  is  room  largely  to  increase 
13 


98 


the   pew-rent   without  imposii)g   heavy  burdens  —  the 
present  highest  pew-rent  being  only  S28. 

^  3.  The  relative  church  strength  at  the  present  time 
is  in  the  same  ratio.  Of  the  237  active  church  members 
on  the  roll,  the  names  of  L50  appear  in  the  petition 
offered. 

Of  non-communicant  pew-holders  all  but  fifteeen  have 
signed  this  petition. 

4.  They  further  represent  that  from  the  first  hear- 
ing, the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  had  been  the  choice 
of  the  people — that  at  the  meeting  of  January  28  the 

2  majority  waived  their  right  to  call  Mr.  McKelvey  in  the 
interest  of  peace  and  hai'mony — and  that  thereafter  they 
honestly  and  sincerely  strove,  in  common  with  the  mi- 
nority, to  secure  a  pastor  who  might  be  universally  ac- 
ceptable. That  again,  in  the  joint  meeting  of  elders 
and  trustees,  May  8,  they  waived  their  right  to  press 
the  name  of  Mr.  McKelvey  in  order  that  Mr.  Crittenden 
might  be  heard. 

They  further  assert  that  they  entered  into  the  parish 
meeting  of  June  11th,  honestly  intending  to  make  the 

3  election  of  Mr.  Crittenden  unanimous,  should  he  receive 
a  majority  of  votes  cast,  and  they  feel  that  they  had  a 
right  to  ask  the  same  of  the  present  minority. 

They  further  declare  that  the  remonstrance  growing 
out  of  that  meeting,  and  preswited  to  Presbytery  July 
7,  was  against  the  rulings  of  said  meeting,  and  not 
against  Mr.  McKelvey. 

That  thirty  of  the  signers  of  that  remonstrance  have 
signed  a  revocation  of  the  same. 

That  signatures  were  obtained  on  othei'  issues  than 
the  acceptableness  or  otherwise  of  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey, 
and  that  it  was  used  for  other  purposes  than  were  con- 
templated by  many  of  its  signers. 

They  further  represent  that  the  present  condition  is 
one  of  prosperity  ;  that  the  young  and  impenitent  gen- 


99 


erally  are  decidedly  interested  in  his  preaching.  Thir- 
teen were  received  into  the  church  at  last  communion  ; 
several  are  expected  at  the  next  communion  ;  six  young 
persons  attended  an  inquiry  meeting  recently  -held  at 
pastor's  study. 

The  morning  Sabbath  congregation  is  increased  twen- 
ty per  cent.  The  evening  congregation  is  increased 
fifty  per  cent.  The  prayer  meeting  is  doubled  in  at- 
tendance. 

We  believe  that  Mr.  McKelvey  grows  in  general  es- 
teem, and  secures  for  himself  many  friends. 

His  past  ecclesiastical  record  is  good,  and  we  have 
most  confident  hopes  of  large  blessings. 

They  further  represent  the  evils  of  a  dissolution  as  '^ 
imminent  and  deplorable.  They  feel  that  they  have  ex- 
ercised a  forbearance  and  patience  which  has  been  mis- 
construed. They  insist  upon  their  constitutional  rights 
in  this  case,  and  ask  for  nothing  but  a  continuance  of 
the  pastoral  relation. 

In  justice  to  themselves  and  to  Mr.  McKelvey  they 
can  submit  voluntarily  to  no  compromise. 

Your  committee  submit  this  summary  of  fact,  state- 
ment, and  points,  believing  that  it  fairly  represents  the  3 
wishes  and  views  of  the  minority  and  majority  respect- 
ively. 

We  cannot  throw  into  the  scale  the  deep  and  intense 
feeling  manifest — the  longing  desire- for  rest — for  some 
permanent  settlement  of  their  existing  difficulties.  The 
whole  discussion  was  conducted  in  a  spirit  of  the  utmost 
Christian  kindness  and  courtesy,  and  the  several  com- 
missioners, though  representing  such  opposing  views, 
and  most  decided  and  positive  in  maintaining",  blended 
in  the  most  delightful  social  intercourse.  And  when  at  . 
the  close  of  our  second  day's  hearing,  having  given  close 
attention  to  document  and  statement,  we  found  all  the 
commissioners  responding  so  cordially  to  the  suggestion 
of  the  committee  that  they  should  endeavor  to  adjust 


I 


100 


their  difficulties  among  themselves,  we  did  venture  to 
indulge  the  hope  that  our  pleasant  duty  would  simply 
be  to  report  to  this  Presbytery  "  ihe  divisions  at  West- 
field  are  healed."  In  this  hope  we  were  disappointed. 
"When  again  the  committee  came  together  on  Friday, 
November  27,  it  was  to  learn  that  no  adjustment  was 
possible  v^hich  would  be  mutually  satisfactory.  The 
comnijttee  were  compelled,  in  obedience  to  their  instruc- 
tions, to  call  a  parish  meeting  in  conjunction  with  the 
Session,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  sense  of  the  congrega- 
tion as  to  the  continuance  of  the  present  pastoral  rela- 
tion. The  Session  was  requested  to  call  a  parish  meet- 
ing on  Monday,  November  30,  at  4:30  P.  M.,  for  the 

2  sole  purpose  specified  in  the  resolutions  of  Presbytery. 

The  committee,  feeling  assured  that  the  fullest  liber- 
ty of  speech  had  been  accorded  to  the  chosen  represent- 
atives of  the  majority  and  minority,  and  that  the  issue 
presented  was  one  upon  which  all  weie  prepared  to 
vote,  restricted  the  meeting  to  the  simple  act  of  voting 
without  discussion. 

This  meeting  was  called  by  the  Session,  and  due  no- 
tice was  given  from  the  pulpit,  and  at  hour  and  date 
mentioned  was  held.     By  invitation  of  the  Session,  Dr. 

3  Roberts  moderated  the  meeting. 

The  result  was  as  follows  : 

Whole  number  of  votes  cast 272 

Yeas 177 

Nays 93 

Blank 2 

272 

The  committee  beg  leave  to  submit  this  additional 
fact,  showing  the  relative  strength  of  majority  and  mi- 

4  nority. 

Your  committee  submit  this  report  of  their  proceed- 
ings, without  any  specific  recommendations,  leaving 
the  whole  question  in  the  hands  of  Presbytery. 


lOJ 


In  conclusion,  we  are  glad  to  say  that  in  so  grave  and 
serious  a  difference  of  opinion  as  we  find  in  the  West- 
field  congregation,  there  is  little,  if  any,  bitterness  of 
feeling  oi'  unkindness  of  expression.  To  your  commit- 
tee, individually  and  collectively,  the  utmost  kindness 
and  cordiality  were  constantly  shown, 

W.  C.  ROBERTS, 

Chairman. 

The  above  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  original,  which  is 
in  my  possession. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Staicil  Clerk  Preshyferi/  of  Elizabeth. 


2 


EXHIBIT  P. 

MINUTES  OF  CONGREGATIONAL  MEETING 
NOVEMBER  30. 

At  a  meetinij  of  the  congresjation  of  Westfield  church 
held  November  30,  1874,  for  the  purpose  of  voting  upon 
the  question,  '•  Shall  the  pastoral  relation  of  the  Rev. 
Alex,  McKelve3^  with  the  congregation  of  Westfield  be 
continued  '?" 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  4:45  P.  M.,  and 
opened  with  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Roberts,  Moderator. 
The  call  of  this  meeting  was  then  read  by  the  Modera- 
tor, and  the  question  asked  if  it  had  been  read  from  the 
pulpit  the  Sunday  previous. 

Answer — It  had. 

It  was  then  moved  and  seconded  that  Charles  A. 
Kinch  and  Joseph  R.  Connoly  be  elected  clerks  of  this 
meeting.     Carried. 

It  was  moved  and  seconded  tiiat  William  W.  Connoly, 


i 


102 


James  T.  Pierson,  F.  A.  Kinch,  M.  D.,  and  F.  R.  Baker 
be  elected  tellers.     Carried. 

The  coininittees  to  represent  the  majority  and  the 
minority  tendered  their  thanks  to  the  Commission  of  the 
Presbytery  for  their  kind,  careful,  and  patient  hearing 
of  their  case. 

The  Clerk  of  the  Commission  of  the  Presbytery  then 
read  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Commission  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  a  parish  meeting  be  called  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Session  on  Monday,  Nov.  30,  1874,  at  4:30 
P.  M.,  to  be  held  in  the  church  at  Westfield. 

Second,  That  the  sole  business  before  the  parish  meet- 
ing be  "  To  take  the  sense  of  the  Westfield  congregation 
as  to  the  continuance  of  the  pastoral  relation  between 
the  Rev.  Alexander  McKelvey  and  the  congregation  of 
Westfield. 

Third,  The  question  to  be  propounded  shall  be  this  : 
"  Shall  the  present  pastoral  relations  between  the  Rev. 
Alexander  McKelvey  and  this  congregation  be  contin- 
ued ?"     To  be  answered  by  Yes  or  No. 

Fourth.,  That  no  discussion  be  allowed,  inasmuch  as 
the  minority  arid  the  majority  liave  been  fully  heard 
before  the  Commission  of  the  Presbyteiy. 

The  Moderator  then  stated  that  we  were  ready  to 
ballot,  and  gave  the  rules  of  voting  as  follows  (see  Form 
of  Government,  Chap.  XV.,  Art.  4,  last  part)  : 

All  church  members  and  pew-holders,  whether  hold- 
ing the  pews  in  their  own  name  or  subletting  them 
through  friends,  have  a  right  to  vote,  without  regard  to 
age.  The  civil  courts  are  governed  by  the  rulings  of 
the  ecclesiastical  courts. 

Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  asked  if  pew-holders  in  arrears  were 
entitled  to  vote.     The  Moderator  answered,  Yes. 

Mr.  Ripley  then  desired  to  read  a  dissent  and  protest, 
which  the  Moderator  ruled  out  of  order  because  the  vot- 
ing had  commenced.  Mr.  Ripley  then  filed  his  dissent 
and  protest.     The  vote  was  then  taken  by  ballot,  and 


103 


the  names  recorded.     The  result  of  the  vote  was  as  fol- 
lows : 

Whole  number  votes  cast 272 

Yes 177 

No 93 

Blank 2 

272 

While  the  votes  were  being  counted  the  Moderator 
allowed  Mr.  Ripley  to  read  the  protest  before  the  con- 
gregation, after  which  it  was  accepted  by  the  Commis- 
sion. 

The  vote  was  then  announced  by  the  Moderator  as 
recorded,  alter  which  Mr.  Brown  ofFered  prayer,  and  the 
people  were  dismissed  with  the  benediction. 

REV.  WM.  C.  ROBERTS,  D.  D., 

Moderator. 


Joseph    R.  Connoly, 
Charles  A.  Kinch, 


Clerks. 


The  above  is  a  correct  copy  o\  the  original,  which  is 
in  my  possession. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Cleric  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth. 


EXHIBIT   a. 

REPLY  OF  COMMISSIONERS  TO  PROTEST 
FILED  NOVEMBER  30. 

T/ie  B,ei)ly  of  the  Commission  of  Presbytery  appointed  to 
adjust  difficulties  in  the  church  of  Westfeld  to  the  Pro- 
test of  Chauncey  B.  Piiplcy,  Esq.,  and  others,  against 
the  action  of  that  Committee,  in  taking  the  vote  at  the 
Parish  Meeting  without  discussion. 

(1.)  The  committee  had  no  power  given  it  by  Pres- 
bytery to  decide  anything  ;  nor  regard  the  vote  of  the 
parish    meeting   of  any   further   importance   than   as   a 


104 


means  of  showing  the  committee  the  relative  strength 
of  the  two  parties.  Had  the  representatives  of  the  ma- 
jority and  minority  agreed  as  to  figures  in  their  docu- 
mentary  evidence,   the    calling  of  the   parish    meeting 

1  would  have  been  wholly  unnecessary  for  the  purpose  of 
the  committee. 

(2.)  Such  a  rule  was  not  contrary,  as  alleged,  to  the 
spirit  and  letter  of  Presbyterianism  and  Republicanism, 
for  tlrey  are  not  democratic,  but  representative  forms 
of  government.  The  majority  and  minority  were  repre- 
sented by  their  duly  accredited  commissioners,  empow- 
ered to  speak  for  them,  and  settle  the  cause  of  contention 
in  theii'  behalf.  They  were  allowed  to  speak  at  length 
for  their  constituency  and  urge  any  argument  they  de- 
sired in  favor  of  their  cause. 

(3.)  It  could  not  have  been  prejudicial  to  the  interest 
of  the  minority.  If  the  salary  question  had  been  dis- 
cussed, there  was  no  huinan  probability  that  any  one 
would  have  suggested  the  propriety  of  increasing  it.  If 
it  was  reduced  by  an  act  of  the  meeting,  the  piesump- 
tion  is  that  some  of  those  who  voted  in  the  minority 
would  have  voted  with  the  majority.  Besides,  if  the 
salary  question  had  been  taken  up  and  settled  at  the 
parish  meeting,  it  would  have  looked  inevitably  toward 
the  continuance  of  the  pastoral  relation,  and  in  that  way 
have  slightly  prejudiced  the  case. 

3  (4.)  It  was  not  detrimental  to  tlie  spiritual  well-being 
of  the  church.  It  would  have  been  disastrous  to  every 
interest  to  have  allowed  Uee  discussions  in  that  state  of 
the  congregation.  No  one  would  have  been  able  to 
control  the  feelings  and  passions  of  the  two  paities  so 
excited,  and  to  some  extent  exasperated. 

(5.)  The  freedom  of  speech  was  not  suppressed,  inas- 
much as  the  two  parties  were  heard  in  extenso  for  nearly 
three  days  through  their  representatives. 

The  parties  themselves  decided  to  present  their  case  • 
through  four  commissioneis  on  each  side,  and  the  com- 
mittee of  Presbytery   cheerfully   acceded  to   it.     They 


05 


agreed,  further,  that  all  discussions  should  end  after  the 
committees  had  been  fully  heard. 

(6.)  The  allowing  of  further  discussion  at  the  church 
would  have  been  virtually  reopening  the  case  in  viola- 
tion of  the  solemn  agreement  entered  into  by  all  the 
paities  concerned. 

The  above  is  a  correct  copy  of  the  original,  which  is 

in  my  possession. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Clerk  Presbijlery  of  Elizabeth. 

Accompanying  the   foregoing  transcript,  and    in   an- 
swer to  an  application  for  all  pnpers  in  the  matter,*  the   'i 
Stated  Clerk  writes  as  follows  : 

Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  March  27,  1875. 

C.  B.  Rivley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — I  send  the  transcript  herewith — trust  you 
will  find  it  legible.  The  originals  are  full  of  abbrevia- 
tions, and  the  copyist,  in  writing  them  out  in  full,  made 
some  mistakes,  which  had  to  be  corrected.  This  gives 
to  some  of  the  pages  a  disfigured  appearance,  but  I  trust 
you  will  excuse  it. 

I  do  not  think  there  are  any  other  papers  in  my  pos- 
session which  you  will  wish  to  embody  in  your  mani- 
festo.* In  these  there  are  thirty-four  pages  of  leg;d 
foolscap,  for  which  the  charge  is  $3.50. 

Trust  the  package  will  reach  you  safely,  and  be  found 

satisfactory. 

In  haste,  yours  truly, 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN. 


*  Tlie  papers  referred  to  commence  with  Exliibit  M,  page  75  above, 
and  end  with  Exhibit  P,  page  105.  Copies  of  a  part  of  them  were 
procured  by  Dr.  Charles  A.  Kiuch  (.see  page  81  ante),  and  certificate  of 
Dr.  Rankin. 

14 


lOG 


EXHIBIT  R. 


I    IN  THE  MATTER  OF  THE  EECON-   \ 
SIDERATION  OF  THE   CALLING  j 
AND    INSTALLATION    OF     REV.  f         Fomts   of 
ALEXANDER     McKELVEY      BE-  l' J.    T.   Lawrence. 
FORE  THE  COMMISSIONERS  AT  \ 
WESTFIELD,  NOV.  19,  1874.  j 


Condition  of  the  Church.  —  Mr.  McKclvey  over-estimates 
the  esteem  in  irkich  he  is  held. — Impossibililij  of  union 
under  him. 

The  Committee  ot  the  Minoiity  submit  to  your  re- 
spected committee  the  accomp;inyiiig  tabie  (see  E.xhibit 
A*),  exhibiting  the  results  of  the  pastoral  work  of  Rev. 
E.  B.  Edgar  in  Westfield,  from  the  year  1850  to  1873, 
by  which  it  appears  that  his  labors  were  signally  blessed 
by  divine  favor,  and  that  the  church  and  congregation 
were  left  by  him  in  a  strong  and  vigorous  condition 
both  spiritually  and  materially. 

When  Rev.  Mr.  Edgar  was  settled  over  this  church, 
Westfield  was  only  a  small  hamlet,  the  church  depend- 
ing to  a  great  degree  on  strictly  a  farming  community, 
the  nearest  churches  at  that  time,  of  the  same  denom- 
ination, being  Rahway,  four  miles  south  ;  Plainfield,  six 
miles  west;  and  Elizabethtown,  seven  miles  east.  And 
the  nearest  other  than  Presbyterian  was  the  Baptist 
church,  three  and  one  half  miles  west,  at  Scotch  Plains. 
The  Westfield  society  was  composed  mostly  of  those 
entertaining  various  religious  views. 

About  the  time  Rev.  Mr.  Edgar's  assuming  the  care 
of  his  parish,  some  disaffected  members  of  his  church 
left  and  organized  (1851)  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Craneville  (now  Cranford),  but  notwithstanding  that  de- 
fection and  the  fact  that  soon  afterwards  the  Methodist 
church  was   formed,  and  in   course  of  tinie  the  Baptist 

*  Herein  marked  Exhibit  RR,  followiug  this  Exhibit  as  a  foot  note. 


107 


and  Episcopal  enterprises  were  started,  the  progress  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  was  none  the  less  marked,  and 
showed  a  constant  and  healthy  increase — the  additions 
to  the  church  membership  for  the  twenty-three  years, 
JS50  to  1873,  being  284,  an  avenige  yearly  of  12  8-23 
per  cent.,  as  against  1102  added  the  previous  ninety 
years  (J760  to  1850),  a  yearly  average  of  12  11-45  per 
cent.,  as  the  records  of  the  church  will  show. 

Although  Rev.  Mr.  Edgar  depended  mainly  on  the  in- 
fluence of  "  the  still  small  voice  of  the  Spirit,"  and  the 
additions  of  each  communion  season  show  a  gradual  yet 
healthy  increase,  still  the  revival  of  the  year  1858  was 
more  fruitful  in  increasing  the  church  membership  than 
for  any  one  of  the  fifteen  previous  years,  when  the  years  ^ 
1843  and  1848  were  noted  revival  years  in  the  manual 
of  the  church. 

During  the  year  1854  the  new  lecture-room  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $1,100.  In  the  year  1861  the  pres- 
ent beautiful  and  commodious  church  edifice  was  com- 
menced and  completed,  and  dedicated  in  March,  1862, 
at  a  cost  of  $12,000,  the  result  to  a  large  extent  of  the 
untiring  and  earnest  efforts  and  Christian  enterprise  of 
the  pastor. 

In  the  year  1873,  the  long  contemplated  enlargement  3 
of  the  lecture-room  for  the  better  accommodation  of  the 
weekly  meetings,  and  especially  the  Sabbath  School, 
was  an  accomplished  fact,  for  a  long  time  a  cherished 
scheme  of  Mr.  Edgar.  So  that  our  late  pastor  has  left 
us,  after  cementing  very  many  endearing  ties,  with  new, 
spacious,  and  commodious  buildings  for  the  worship  of 
our  common  Lord  and  Master,  and  the  advancement  of 
his  cause  on  earth,  and  what  is  particularly  gratifying 
to  all  concei'ned,  a  chuich  with  large  possessions  entire- 
ly unincumbeied  by  debt.  4 

At  Pluckamin,  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  on  Oct. 
7th,  during  the  free  conversation  on  the  state  of  religion, 
Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  reported  that  he  had  been  settled 
over  the  Westfield  church  about  two  months. 


lOS 


That  the  affairs  were  very  encouraging,  and  that  they 
were  blessed  with  the  goodness  of  God. 

That  they  were  more  encouraging  than  he  had  antic- 
ipated. 

That  the  audiences  on  the  Sabbath  were  larger,  and 
the  prayer  meetings  incomparably  increased,  and  that 
there  was  an  interest  manifested  in  them. 

That  the  Sabbath  School  exercises  were  more  largely 
attended. 

Also  stated  that  they  had  a  delightful  communion 
Sabbath,  and  received  into  the  church  at  that  time  more 
than  at  any  one  season  for  twenty  (20)  years  past,  ex- 
cepting on  one  occasion. 
^  Then  as  to  the  financial  condition,  that  he  stated  was 
prosperous.  That  he  had  enquired  of  the  treasurer,  who 
informed  him  that  there  was  due  and  collectable  $400 
more  than  was  necessary  to  meet  the  expenses  on  No- 
vember 1st. 

Wliile  manifestly  we  have  very  great  reason  for 
thankfulness  to  God  for  his  watchful  and  providential 
care  over  us,  in  bestowing  such  a  rich  inheritance,  and 
favoring  us  with  so  many  evidences  of  his  constantly 
abiding  love,  still  many  of  us  are  unable  to  distinguish 

3  the  reported  encouraging  state  of  affliirs  in  our  church, 
especially  when  we  have  ever  in  view  before  us  a  divided 
church,  a  divided  Session,  a  divided  Sabbath  School, 
and  want  of  union  in  the  choii',  composed  mostly  of 
members  of  our  church,  and  all  legular  attendants,  whose 
services  are  entirely  voluntaiy,  and  when  this  discord  is 
throughout  the  entire  parish,  entering  into  the  sacred 
family  relation,  all  in  fact  being  disturbed  and  excited, 
because  we  have  for  our  minister  a  man  in  whose  sup- 
port we  cannot  unite — to  whom  we  cannot  look  up  with 
that  loving   esteem    and   confidence   and  warm-hearted 

4  Christian  fellowship  which  we  are  all  accustomed  to  ex- 
tend to  the  ministers  of  our  blessed  Lord,  and  particu- 
larly to  the  one  to  wliom  we  always  desiie  to  go  for 
guidance  and  consolation  ;  who  publicly  stands  out  in 


109 


the  position  of  having  forced  himself  on  many  unwilling 
people — accepting  a  place  which  he  knew  was  only  ob- 
tained after  many  prolonged  and  excited  debates  and 
unwarrantable  proceedings,  which  one  of  the  high 
courts  of  our  church  has  already  decided  deliberately  as 
"irregular,  and  unduly  hasty,"  and  in  disregard  of  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  a  very  large  minority  of  the 
church  over  which  he  presides,  and  also  "in  disregard- 
ing their  opinion  ;"  and  he  stands  now  in  the  most 
sacred  relation  of  a  Christian  minister,  without  that 
united  respect  and  affection  so  much  demanded  by  the 
reUition  of  pastor  and  people. 

Sabbath  services  are  stated  as  larger.  Mr.  McKelvey 
made  this  statement  when  it  is  notoriously  the  most  ^ 
pleasant  season  of  the  entire  year,  and  when  all  our 
country  churches  have  undoubtedly  the  best  attendance, 
during  the  early  fall  months.  Many  strangers  are  still 
enjoying  the  freshness  of  the  country,  and  it  is  well 
known  that  the  farming  community  are  less  busily  en- 
gaged at  that  period,  and  are  more  inclined  to  regular 
attendance  than  at  any  other  season  of  the  year.  But 
still  we  fail  to  notice  any  increase  on  the  Sabbath  serv- 
ices, as  compared  wath  the  corresponding  months  of 
previous  yeais.  The  people  of  Westfield  are  a  Sabbath-  3 
observing  and  church-going  community,  and  Presbyte- 
rians are  never  disposed  to  neglect  such  privileges.  They 
love  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  their  fathers  in  divine 
and  holy  things,  and  this  church  of  historic  memory 
and  interests  is  a  spot  we  love  to  visit  habitually,  hence, 
perhaps,  it  is  very  natural  for  strangers  to  judge  that 
things  are  more  prosperous  at  this  season  of  the  year 
than  they  are  in  reality,  and  the  same  remarks  will  ap- 
ply to  the  weekly  meetings  and  the  Sabbath  School. 

Concerning  the  statement  made  at   Pluckamin   about 
comn^union  Sabbath  :  there  having  been  added  to  the  * 
church   at  that  time   more  than   ai    any  one  season  for 
twenty  (^O)  years  past  except  on  one  occasion  ;  it  is 


JIO 


well  to  state  that  Rev.  Mr.  Edgar  had  vacated  the  pas- 
torate the  previous  November  (1873),  and  that  the  first 
four  communion  Sabbaths  of  this  year  (1S74)  three  of 
them  passed  by  without  a  single  addition,  and  only  in 
May  one  was  received  by  examination  and  five  by  cer- 
tificate. At  the  time  mentioned  by  Mr.  McKelvey  thir- 
teen (13)  were  received  :  three  on  confession  of  faith, 
one  of  them  an  old  man  who  stated  before  the  Session 
that  he  was  converted  seven  years  before  ;  one  a  young 
lady  who  became  converted  last  winter  in  the  Metiiodist 
church,  and  wanted  to  unite  there,  but  her  mother 
would  not  consent;  and  the  other  was  an  invalid  lady 
too  feeble  to  attend  church,  and  who  is  evidently  near 
^  her  end.  Of  the  ten  (10)  by  certificate,  one  was  the 
pastor's  wife  ;  three  belonging  to  a  family  who  have 
been  ardent  supporters  of  Mr.  McKelvey  all  along,  and 
six  belonging  to  a  public  institution  which  was  estab- 
lished in  Westfield  in  1S73,  and  were  waiting  to  con 
nect  themselves  with  tiie  church  on  the  settlement  of  a 
pastor. 

Regarding  the  general  statement  made  by  Mr.  McKel- 
vey as  to  the  prosperity,  it  is  a  well-established  fact 
that  there  is  wide-spread  discontent  and  dissatisfaction, 
3  and  Mr.  McKelvey  does  not  appear  to  make  any  distinc- 
tion between  common  politeness  and  distant  courtesy, 
and  that  cheerful  Christian  sympathy  and  warm-hearted 
friendship  and  respect  which  we  usually  extend  and 
manifest  in  welcoming  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  par- 
ticularly those  beneath  whose  teachings  we  expect  to 
sit. 

He  has  mentioned  individuals  as  having  acted  well 
towards  him,  and  who  are  yielding  to  his  support,  who 
have  all  along  been,  and  are  now,  strongly  opposed  to 
him. 

It  will  be  well  to  notice  a  few  remarks  which  have 
been  made  by  prominent  members  of  the  church  and 
congregation  as  indicative  of  the  state  of  feeling  of  many 


11 


who  fail  to  see  any  reason  why  they  should  fall  in  with 
his  supporters. 

Immediately  after  coming  out  from  the  communion 
table  last  September  one  very  prominent  lady  re- 
marked : 

"Is  it  not  dreadful  that  all  of  us  have  to  feel  as  we 
do  about  our  pastor  on  such  an  occasion  as  this?" 

Another  has  remarked,  "  Our  house  is  divided  on  Mr. 
McKelvey.  I  don't  like  him  at  all.  Get  rid  of  him  as 
quickly  as  you  can." 

Another  has  often  said,  "  His  preaching  does  not  fill 
me,  and  I  never  can  have  that  respect  and  esteem  for 
him  that  I  wish  to  entertain  for  my  pastor." 

The  same  lady's  husband  remarked,  ''Let  him  alone;    ^ 
he  will  hang  himself  in  a  year." 

One  pi'ominent  in  church  and  Sabbath  School,  and 
who  has  been  for  nine  (9)  years,  remarked,  after  return- 
ing from  the  Friday  evening  prayer  meeting: 

"I  have  been  to  prayer  meeting;  it  was  conducted 
by  My.  McKelvey,  and  he  did  not  please  me — was  com- 
monplace and  uninstructive.  I  want  you  (her  husband) 
to  write  to  Dr.  Roberts  and  Dr.  Kempshall,  and  explain 
to  them  how  it  is ;  and  inform  them  of  the  situation  of 
affairs,  and  endeavor  to  convince  them  of  the  true  con-  3 
dition  of  things  in  our  church,  and  let  them  see  the 
matter  in  its  true  light,  and  that  we  cannot  prosper  as 
the  case  now  stands." 

A  mother  of  a  large  f.imily  stated,  "  I  don't  like  him 
at  all ;  liis  sermons  appear  cold  and  heartless." 

A  prominent  gentleman,  befoie  the  meeting  of  Synod 
— a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  School,  ;ind  head  of  a  large 
family — said  :  "  I  am  looking  anxiously  forw^ard  to  the 
Synod  next  week,  to  see  if  tliere  is  any  justice  or  sym- 
pathy there." 

A  gentleman  belonging  to  one  of  the  oldest  families   ^ 
said,  "  Mr.  McKelvey  does  not  discriminate  between  be- 
ing treated  with  common  politeness  and  affection." 
A  prominent  gentleman  stated  that  "  Mr.  McKelvey 


112 


would  not  fill  our  pulpit  acceptably  ;  but,  that  to  stop 
the  clamor  of  certain  people,  he  has  got  to  remain  with 
us  a  while." 

Another  gentleman  said,  "  Is  not  the  coming  of  Mr. 
McKelvey  under  the  circumstances  the  coolest  thing 
possible  '?    I  would  treat  him  with  very  distant  reserve." 

The  same  individual  urged  the  writer  last  winter  to 
accept  the  situation,  but  has  undergone  a  change  of 
mind  on  the  subject  adversely. 

One  gentleman,  also  a  member  of  the  church  and 
Sunday  School,  said,  on  coming  out  of  the  church  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  day  of  installation  : 

"We  have  all  eaten  a  good  deal  of  dirt  to-day  ;  but 

2  Mr.  McKelvey  has  taken  more  tlian  all  of  us." 

When  he  (McKelvey)  left  the  house  after  calling  on 
a  large  family,  the  mother  of  the  family  I'emarked  to 
him,  "All  of  us  belong  to  the  minority." 

One  lady,  when  asked  by  him  to  bring  her  letter  to 
our  church,  remarked  :  "I  don't  know  how  I  will  like 
you." 

One  gentle;nan   )emarked,  "  IMr. ,  I  don't  feel 

right  when  I  attend  prayer  meetings,  because  I  am  con- 
scious that  you  don't  feel  like  attending  and  participat- 

3  ing  actively  in  the  services." 

Mr.  McKelvey  has  been  in  the  habit  of  going  into  tlie 
Sabbath  School  every  Sabbath,  and  a  good  many  have 
expressed  a  dislike  because  of  his  presuming  so  much  to 
ingratiate  himself  in  their  good  opinion  of  him. 

One  lady,  the  mother  of  one  of  our  largest  families, 
stated  that  Mr.  McKelvey  preached  some  good  sermons, 
but  that  she  could  never  like  him,  and  that  she  had  said 
when  importuned  to  sign  the  majority  paper,  "  that  Mr. 
McKelvey  ought  not  to  have  come  to  this  charge." 

Another  lady,  a  teacher  in   the  Sabbath  School,  who 

*  signed  the  first  remonstrance,  but  afterwards  subscribed 

to  the  paper  which  Mr.  Plundey  attempted  to  read  al 

Synod,  when  asked  to  sign  the  last  minority  paper,  de- 


no 


dined,  stating,  however,  ''I  don't  like  Mr.  McKelvey, 
and  never  shall.  He  ought  not  to  have  come  here,  and 
should  not  remain  now." 

Another  lady,  also  a  teacher  in  tiie  Sabbath  School, 
said  :  "I  signed  the  remonstrance  in  the  first  place,  not 
understanding  Presbyterian  usage,  thinking  that  it  would 
be  final,  and  that  Presbytery  would  not  let  him  come. 
I  don't  like  him,  and  never  will," 

Another  teacher  remarked,  "  I  dislike  so  much  trouble 
in  the  church,  and  it  would  be  better  to  let  an  acre  of 
McKelvevs  s:o  than  to  have  it  continued." 

At  Pluckamin  the  financial  condition  was  stated  as 
prosperous. 

If"  all  of  the  pews  are  rented,  and  the  en-  2 

tire  money  collected,  it  brings  about $2,G7G   IG 

Seats  not  taken  about 450  00 

$2,226   16 
Bad  debts,  say 226  00 

(See  Exhibit  B*)  Income $2,000  16 

YEARLY  EXPENSES. 

Salary $2,000  -^ 

Sexton...,. 200 

Coal,  lights,  &c 200 

Incidentals 500 

$2,900 
Additional  salary 500 

Ordinary  expenses $3,400 

Nearly  four  (4)  months  have  now  expired,  and  no  par- 
ish meeting  called,  when  at  the  yearly  parish  meeting 
last  April  a  motion  was  carried  to  lent  the  pews  foi' 
Ihree  (3)  njonths,  in  view  of  the  probable  election  of  a 
[)astor  at  an  increased  salary. 

*  Exhibit  B,  annexed  to  Mr.  Lawreuce's  Brief,  sliowed  the  iucome  to 

be  as  stated. 

15 


114 


The  relation  of  pastor  and  people  is  of  too  close  and 
holy  a  nature  to  be  slightly  cousitlered.  Minorities  have 
vested  I'ights  which  they  have  perfect  moral  right  to 
chiiin  respect  for  ot  majorities,  and  such  rights  have 
been  disregarded  by  those  of  the  majority  of  our  church. 
A  laroe  minoritv  have  a  clear  rio;ht  to  have  a  minister 
whom  they  can  love  and  respect.  We  do  not  ask  for 
any  njan  as  minister  who  is  obnoxious  To  others  ;  but 
we  demand  it  as  a  right  that  we  have  a  ministei'  whom 
we  desire  to  call  to  our  homes  in  times  of  adveisity  and 
sore  trial,  to  attend  our  sick  and  dying,  to  cement  the 
marriage  vow,  to  baptize  our  children,  to  seek  guidance 
of  in  the  way  of  that  higher  life.  We  want  tlie  rain- 
^  ister  we  can  love  and  admire,  and  whose  wisdom  we 
cannot  question  ;  but  we  may  here  ask  liow  can  you  ex- 
pect us  to  hold  as  near  and  dear  to  us  one  who  has 
taken  a  position  v^hich  not  one  in  a  thousand  would  ac- 
cept. 

Tlie  question  has  been  asked  of  a  clergyman,  "  On 
what  condition  would  you  take  a  call  under  such  cir- 
cumstances V  The  answer  was,  "On  the  one  condition 
that  I  can  have  the  power  to  work  a  njiracle." 

Another  thin»-  is  to  be  lemarked  :  the  surroundiiio:  min- 

3  isters,  in  the  neighboi'ing  towns,  have  almost  to  a  man 
sympathized  with  and  acted  for  the  minority,  a  fact 
which  speaks  volumes. 

What  can  be  the  influence  on  the  young  when  such 
thinos  occur.     It  is  known  that  on  various  occasions  of 

O 

late  our  former  pastor,  Rev.  E.  B.  Edgar,  has  been  im- 
portuned to  come  to  Westfield  and  peifoim  the  marriage 
ceremony,  to  ba[ttize  children,  and  officiate  at  funerals: 
but  out  of  consideration  for  Mr.  McKelvey,  he  has  de- 
clined to  respond,  showing  commendable  deference  on 
his  part. 

4  (Signed),         JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE. 


1-5 


EXHIBIT   RR. 

Number  juldecl  to  the  CLurcli  at  various  Communions  during 
Rev.  E.  B.  Edgar's  Pastorate. 

EX.  CER. 

1850 3 

18.51 , ]  6 

1852 2  2 

1853 11  4 

18.54 2  4 

1855 1  5 

1856 3  1 

1857 2  3 

1858 44  4 

1859 2  10 

1860 1  7 

1861 2  12 

1862 4  4 

1863 9  8 

1864 3  4 

1865 1 

1866 5  13 

1867 7  ]2 

1868 1  8 

1869 11  12 

1870 1  3 

1871 9  5 

1872 4  11 

1873 4  13 

1874 - 

Total 129  155 

Twenty-tbree'years :  Average,  \2o\. 
Additions,  J 102,  previous  90  years  :   Average,  12^^. 


EXHIBIT   S. 

BRIEF  OF  JAS.  0.  CLARK.    BEFORE  THE  COM- 
MISSIONERS, NOV.  19,  1874.  3 
I.— MR.  McKELVEY'S  MISREPRESENTATIONS. 

1.    Mr.     McKelvey    before    the    Freshjterij    of   Elizabeth, 
Juhj  llh,    1874. 

It  is  known  to  some,  if  not  to  all  the  members  of  the 
commission,  that  the  call  was  deliveied  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  McKelvey  by  tiie  Moderator  of  the  Presbytery 
(Rev.  Mr.  Williamson)  under  the  protest  of  Dr.  Sheddan. 

Mr.  McKelvey  was  at  that  time  asked  if  he  would  ac- 
cept the  call,  and  in  reply  said  tliat  he  was  not  prepared 
to  answer  just   then,  but  would   take  the  matter  into  4 
consideration  and  would  decide,  and   inform  the  Pres- 
byteiy  as  soon  as  he  conveniently  could. 

He  then  took  his  seat  at  the  side  of  the  desk  facing 
the  members  of  the  Presbytery.  Mr.  Ripley  then  arose 
and   gave  notice  to  the   Piesbytery  that   the  minority 


1  l(i 


would  appeal  from  its  action  to  the  Synod  of  New  Jer- 
sey, and  asked  for  a  stay  of  proceedings,  which  was  denied. 

From  the  action  of  the  Synod,  Mr.  Ripley  also  said 
that,  if  it  were  necessary,  the  minority  vvonld  appeal  to 
the  General  Assembly. 

Mr.  McKelvey  sat  directly  in  front  of  Mr.  Ripley,  and 
heard  every  word  he  said,  and  was  then  and  there  in- 
foi'med  of  our  determined  opposition. 

2. 
Also,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bruen  (senior),  who  was  present 
during  the  whole  of  this  meeting  of  Presbytery,  and 
was  therefore  informed  of  the  strength  of  the  minority 
and  the  nature  of  the  case,  wrote  a  kindly  letter  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  just  after  rhe  meeting,  advising  him 
as  a  brother  and  friend  not  to  accept  the  call.* 

3.    The  Be)no?is(ra)icef  (which  was  read). 

Yet  notwithstanding  the  delivery  of  the  remonstrance 
into  the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey's  hands  by  a  messenger, 
our  determined  opposition  in  the  cause,  as  represented 
by  Mr.  Ripley  before  the  Presbytery  meeting  of  July 
7tli,  and  the  friendly  letter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bruen  (seni- 
or), the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  did,  on  the  evening  of  Friday, 
o  July  10th,  inform  the  session  of  our  church  that,  after 
consultation  with  many  members  of  the  Presbytei'y 
who  had  advised  him  as  to  his  action  in  the  matter,  lie 
had  decided  to  accept  the  call.  But  he  now  reports 
that  lie  was  not  then  aware  of  the  opposition  against  him. 

4.  Mr.    McKelveifs   remarks    be/ore    the  ■  Presbytery   at    its 
meeting,  held  in  Westfield,  July  27th,  1874. 
To  all  the  members  of  your  committee,  with  perhaps 
one  or  two  excepted,  it  is  also  known  that  Mr.  McKel- 
vey spoke  in  his  own  cause  at  the  p?-o  renata  meeting  of 
4  Pi-esbytei'y,  lield  in  our  church  Monday,  July  27th  last, 
only  an  hour  or  so  previous  to  the  installation  service. 

*  See  Letter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Brueu  referring  to  this  letter  below,  Ex.  X. 
piige  126. 

t  Exhibit  G,  pages  Gi  and  62,  ante. 


JI7 


One  of  the  menibeis  of  the  Presbytery,  and  also  a 
large  number  of  the  members  of  the  church  and  congre- 
gregation  vvlio  were  present  at  that  time,  inferred  from  his 
remarks  thcit  he  wassettled  overapeoj)leand  iiad  a  ciiarge.    ^ 

That,  acting  upon  the  faith  of  the  Presbytery  in  per- 
mitting tlie  commissioners  of  the  Westfield  church  to 
give  the  call  ovei'  into  his  hands,  he  had  dissolved  his 
relation  with  his  people  and  was  there  ready  to  be 
installed. 

Upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey's  representations  alone 
this  membei"  voted  to  proceed  with  the  installation 
service.  He  also  further  states  that  lie  has  since  learned 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  had  no  charge  as  pastor  at 
the  time  of  receiving  the  call  from  oui"  church,  akd  that  2 
if  he  had  known  such  to  be  the  case  at  that  meeting  of 
Presbytery  he  would  not  have  voted  to  proceed  and  in- 
stall him. 

5. 

On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  May,  !S74,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Isaac  H.  Pierson,  Esq.,  there  was  held  a  joint 
meeting  of  the  session  and  trustees  for  the  purpose  of 
conferrino-  and  counselin<2;  toijether  in  I'cgard  to  the  in- 
terest  of  the  church  and  congregation. 

At  this  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to  see  3 
the  Rev.  Mr.  McKelvey  and  report  at  a  second   joint 
meeting,  held  May  Sth  following. 

The  committee  reported  that  Mr.  McKelvey  would 
not  accept  a  call  if  the  session  were  divided  upon  the 
question.*  The  session  was  divided  at  that  time  and  has 
been  ever  since. 

Mr.  McKelvey  now  says  that  he  did  not  authorize 
the  committee  to  make  the  above  statement. 

iSow,  one  of  two  things  must  be  true: — either  he  did 
so  authorize  this  committee,  and  his  acceptance  of  the 
call  was  inconsistent  -and  contradictory  therewith,  or 
else  he  so  acted  and  I'epresented  that  this  committee  very 
reasonably  infeired  that  he  would   not  accept  the  call 


*  See  Exhibit  U,  page  123  below. 


lis 


under  such  circumstances  ;  for  we  do  not  think  that 
this  committee  would  represent  or  report  anything  ex- 
cept what  he  was  informed  or  might  infer. 

II.— MR.  McKELVEY  INCREASES  THE  DISCORD  IN  OUR 
CHURCH  AND  CONGREGATION  BY  REMAINING 
AMONG    US. 

1.  On  or  about  October  6th,  1874,  by  appointment, 
Mr.  McKelvey  met  elders  Ephriam  Clark  and  Joseph 
Cory  at  the  residence  of  one  Mrs.  Prentiss,  who  is  an  in- 
valid, to  receive  her  into  the  church. 

As  they  were  coming  out  of  the  yard,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
McKelvey  said  that  he  would  like  to  have  a  little  talk 
with  them  ;  and  when  they  had  reached  a  convenient 
distance  from  the  house,  Mr.  McKelvey,  drawing  a 
paper  out  of  his  pocket  purporting  to  be  the  petition 
presented  al  the  po  re  nata  meeting  of  Presbytery,  held 
at  Westfield  July  ^Tth,  and,  referring  to  the  dislike 
mentioned  in  the  petition,*  charged  them  both  with  sub- 
scribing to  a  fialsehood,  and  repeated  it  two  or  three 
times  with  warmth  and  emphasis  during  the  conversa- 
tion. 

Mr.  Ephriam  Clark  then  made  reply  that  he  supposed 
Mr.  McKelvey  would  have  informed  himself  as  to  the 
strength  of  the  minority,  and  Mr.  McKelvey  answered 
that  he  did  not  want  anybody  to  tell  him  what  he  ought 
to  do,  with  considerable  warmth,  as  though  they  were 
meddling  with  his  business.  Mr.  McKelvey  also  said 
that  minorities  should  submit,  and  that  it  was  anti- 
republican  to  stand  out  against  the  majority. 

Mr.  Joseph  Cory  answered,  "I  believe  you  had  one 
majority  only  of  the  members  of  the  church,  and  that 
it  requires  a  two-thirds  vote  to  pass  some  of  our  laws." 

Mr.  McKelvey  then  replied  that  it  did  not  in  this 
case,  and  if  there  had  been  but  five  majority  in  the 
whole  vote,  the  minority  should^'submit. 

Mr.  Cory  answered  if  there  was  any  place  where  we 
ought  to  have  a  two-thirds  vote  it  was  in  the  church. 

*  See  Petition,  page  10  above. 


]19 


Mr.  McKelvey,  speaking  again  of  the  bad  effect  of 
their  names  standing  on  the  petition — that  it  stood  to  a 
falsehood — and  finding  tliat  he  could  not  get  thetn  to 
take  their  names  from  the  petition,  said,  "  then  it  is  a 
plain,  open  fight." 

At  this  point  of  the  conversation,  Mr.  Chirk  started 
on  his  way  home;  and  Mr.  McKelvey,  walking  in  an 
opposite  direction  with  Mr.  Cory,  and  speaking  about 
the  petition,  said  that  it  would  not  hold  water. 

2.  Conversation  with  Mr.  Joseph  Cory  about  Dr. 
Kinch. 

3.  Mr.  McKelvey's  address  and  remarks  before  meeting 
of  Presbytery  November  9th,   LS74. 

As  submitted  by  JAS.  O.  CLARK. 


EXHIBIT  T. 

BRIEF  OF  CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY. 


IN   THE    MATTER   OF  THE   RECONSID- 
ERATION OF  THE  CALLING  AND  IN- 
STALLATION   OF    REV.    ALEXANDER^  Fo?v</6-   of  Chaun- 
McKELVEY— HEARING  BEFORE  THe/      ccij  B.  Ripley.      -^ 
COMMISSIONERS  AT  WEST  FIELD,  NO- 
VEMBER 19,   J  874. 

/ 


I.  Irregularity. 

II.  Injustice. 

III.  Inexpediency. 

I.   Irregularity.  —  The    proceedings    of   the    [»arish 
meeting,  held    June  11,  were  irregular,  hasty,   and    un- 
constitutional. , 
,                                                               4 

1.  The  Minutes  of  the  last  parish  meeting  imme- 
diately preceding  that   of  June  11  were  not  read. 

The  Minutes  of  the  parish  meeting  of  January  28, 
the  last  parish  meeting  relating  to  the  calling  of  a  pas- 


120 


tor,  and  to  the  culling  of  the  candidate  in  nomination, 
were  presented  by  Dr.  Kinch  on  application  of  a  mem- 
ber of  the  congregation,  and  the  reading  called  for.  The 
privilege  of  reading  these  Minutes  was  denied  by  Dr. 
1  Kempshall,  the  Moderator,  his  ruling  being,  "It  is  not 
necessciry." 

Rules  of  Genei-al  Assembly,  No.  XII.,  Pres.  Dig., 

^  pnge  206.     Minutes  of  Parish  Meetings,  Jan.  28 

and  June  H,  Exhibits  J  and  K,  pp.  05 — 69. 

The  Minutes  of  the  meeting  of  January  2S  contained 
a  compact,  deliberately  entered  into  by  those  who  were 
in  favor  of  Mr.  McKelvey  on  the  one  hand,  and  those 
who  were  opposed  to  him  on  the  other.  It  was  an 
jigreement  on  the  part  of  the  congregation,  unanimously 
entered  into,  that  each  should  drop  his  candidate  for  the 
peace  and  welfare  and  unity  of  the  church. 

The  friends  of  Mr.  Camp  and  those  opposed  to  Mr. 
McKelvey  kept  faith,  and  stood  by  their  ngreement  of 
January  28,  while  the  friends  of  Mr.  McKelvey  have  vio- 
lated it. 

They  violated  it  at  the  parish  meeting  of  June  11, 
and  there  the  minority  and  majority  of  thx  IVcstficld  cJuirch 
had  their  origin.     See  Resolution,  page  63. 

Dr.  Kempshall  refused  to  allow  these  Minutes  to  be 
read,  and  the  name  of  Alexander  McKelvey  was  repro- 
3  duced,  in  direct  violation  of  the  unaninjous  vote  of  the 
cono;res:ation. 

And  this  was  done  in  accordance  with  a  prearrange- 
ment.     Dr.  Kempshall's  Confession  at  Synod,  his  con 
fession  at  Presbytery,  July  7,  and  all  his  rulings  show 
it,  and  the  part  he  has  taken  in  the  case.* 

This  was  irregular  —  for  the  reproduction  of  Mr. 
McKelvey  as  a  candidate  was  inconsistent  with  resolu- 
tions passed  January  28,  page  63. 

4 

*  See  Exliibit  U. 


121 


It  was  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  Rules  of  General 
Assembly. 

It  was  unjust  to  the  minority,  who  acted  in  entire 
good  faith  in  not  bringing  forward  Mr.  Cam[). 

It  was  inexpedient,  for  such  suppression  of  an  argu- 
ment was  not  likely  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 
church. 

2.  The  Constitution  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  was 
clearly  violated  by  the  Moderator,  as  shown  in  (1st 
point  of)  the  Complaint. 

See  Appeal  Roll,  p.52.  Point,  folio  3,Pres.  Digest, 
405,  V. 
This  act   was  equally  an   act  of  injustice  and  highly 
inexpedient. 

3.  The  motion  to  make  unanimous  proceeded  from 
the  majority. 

The  minority  were  averse.  They  stood  by  their 
agreement. 

See  (2d  point)  Appeal  Roll,  p.  54. 

This  act  was  irregular — it  was  un-Presbyterian. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  is  not  a  church  governed  by 
majorities  in  the  abstract,  as  in  politics. 

The  government  is  more  like  family  goveinment — or 
like  the  control  of  partnerships,  where  eveiy  interest  is 
supposed  to  be  in  common. 

The  majority  have  erred  here. 

Di'.  Sheddan's  course  was  regular,  just,  expedient. 
Dr.  KempshalFs  the  reverse. 

4.  The  vote  to  make  unanimous  did  not  show  una- 
nimity. 

See  p.  54,  Point  3,  Appeal  Roll. 

How  far  from  unanimous  was  the  vote? — 72  ayes  and 
63  noeson  the  question  of  salary  (p.  66,  fol.  1,  Appeal  Roll). 

Here  were  208  parishioners,  and  only  72  in  favor  of  ^ 
the  salary. 

But  Mr.  McKelvey  reduced  his  salary.*     Why  ? 

*  Said  he  would  make  the  trustees  a  present  of  $oOO  for  the^rs(  year. 

16 


122 


It  is  not  Presbyterian  to  settle  a  pastor  over  a  people 
where  only  72  of  20S  are  satisfied  with  the  salary. 

This  also  was  inegular,  unjust,  and  inexpedient. 

There  is  no  way  to  correct  it  but  to  call  another  par- 
ish meeting. 

Reducing  salary  for  one  year  will  not  cure  the  error. 

Mr.  McKelvey's  act  is  no  reduction, 

X^ase  in  South  Jersey.* 

5.  The  freedom  of  speech  was  suppressed. 
And  the  Moderator  gave  notice  that  no  appeal  would 
lie  from  his  rulings. 

See  p.  54,  Point  4,  Appeal  Poll. 

2  Rule    General   Assembly,   No.   XVIIL,   p.   206, 

Pies.  Dig. 

This  ruling  was  unconstitutional,  unjust,  and  inexpe- 
dient. 

There  is  no  cliurch  so  illiberal,  none  so  despotic,  as  to 
deny  the  freedom  of  speech  upon  questions  clearly  de- 
batable. 

It  was  the  arbiti'ary  law  of  the  man,  not  of  the  Church. 
Pres.  Dig.,  p.  542. 

3  G.  The  parsonage  was  added  by  direction  of  the  Mod- 
erator, without  a  vote. 

Dr.  Kenipsliall   nurde  several  orders  in  succession — 
and  he  refused  to  listen  to  Elder  Baker's  suggestion. 
See  p.  G6,  folios  1  and  2,  Appeal  Roll. 

These  acts  were  clearly  illegal,  unconstitutional,  un- 
just, and  indefensible. 

They  are  nullities,  and  what  was  intended  to  be  done 
was  not  done.  Tlie  parsonage  is  undisposed  of,  and  the 
time  of  payment  has  never  been  fixed. 

4  7.  Of  illegal  voting. — See  brief  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch. 


*  Where  the  pastor  said  it  was  no  matter,  the  people  could  pay  what 
they  could  afford.  After  many  years  his  executors  sued  and  recovered 
lull  amount. 


123 


S.  The  Moderator  refused  to  entertain  a  motion  to 
reconsider. 

See  Apjjeal  Roll,  page  65  at  foot. 

It  was  eminently  a  proper  case  for  reconsideration. 
The  ruling  was  unconstitutional,  unjust,  and  inexpe- 
dient.    It  is  an  evidence  of  haste. 

9.  The  freedom  of  speech  is  repeatedly  denied. 

Appeal  Roll,  page  66. 

This  is  open  to  objection  nndei-  every  point  of  the 
brief. 

10.  Point  8  of  the  Appeal  Roll  (p.  56)  indicates  un- 
fairness, haste,  and  irregularity. 

Here  end  the  points  taken  in  the  Complaint  to  Pi'es- 
bytery,  July  7,  1874. 

For  errors,  injustice,  and  inexpediency  at  7th  July 
meeting  of  Presbytery,  see  Appeal  Roll,  pp.  20  to  21,  and 
Exhibits  n^ferred  to.  A,  B,  C,  D  and  E. 

For  error,  injustice,  and  inexpediency  at  27th  July 
meeting  of  Presbytery,  see  Complaint  and  Appeal  of 
Dr.  Sheddan,*  and  Petition  of  Ephraim  Clark  and  oth- 
ers,t  with  Exhibit  A,  annexed  ;  Minutes  of  Petition  in 
Records  of  Pluckamin  meeting  of  Presbytery. 
CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 

For  mlnorlt.y. 
Dated  Nov.  17,  1874. 


EXHIBIT  U. 

CERTIFICATE   CONCERNING  ELDER   L    H. 
PIERSON. 

Mr.  Isaac   H.  Pierson,  an   elder,  is   in  the    minority, 

though  he  has  not  signed  the  petition. 

The  following  are  the  facts  concerning  him  : 

He  pledged  Dr.  Kempshall    that  he  would   go  with 

the   majority   before   the   election   of   Mr.   McKelvey — 

*  Pages  7,  8  and  9.  t  Page  10,  et  seq. 


124 

Ephriam  Clark,  Joseph  Cory,  and  Francis  R.  Baker, 
elders,  being  present  at  the  house  of  Isaac  H.  Pierson  at 
a  sessional  meeting  at  the  time. 
^  He  has  said  to  Mr.  Ephriam  Clark,  in  substance,  that 
he  signed  the  call  to  Mr.  McKelvey  simply  because  of 
his  pledge  to  Dr.  Kempshall.  Elder  Francis  Baker 
and  Elder  Ephriam  Claik  remember  distinctly  that  they 
refused,  on  Dr.  Kempshall's  solicitation  at  the  same 
meeting,  to  pledge  themselves  to  sustain  Mr.  McKelvey 
if  elected  by  a  majoi'ity.* 

Elder  Joseph  Cory  expressed  himself  in  favor  of  Mr. 
Crittenden  at  the  same  meeting. 

Elder  Henry  Baker  was  solicited  at  the  same  time  by 

2  Dr.  Kempshall  in  the  same  direction,  and  answered, 
"  My  sentiments  are  the  same  as  Ephriam  Clark's." 

Mr.  Isaac  H.  Pierson's  only  reason,  given  to  Henry 
Baker,  elder,  for  signing  the  call,  was  his  pledge  to  Dr. 
Kempshall  at  the  sessional  meeting  before  mentioned. 

.Elder  Isaac  H.  Pierson  has  said,  since  the  judgment 
of  Synod,  to  Chauncey  B.  Ripley  and  to  Dr.  Chas.  A. 
Kinch,  that  Synod  did  not  go  far  enough — that  the 
relation  should  have  been  dissolved. 

To  Francis  R.  Baker  Mr.  Isaac  H.  Pierson  said,  since 

3  Synod:  "  There  will  never  be  harmony  in  the  church 
till  the  relation  is  dissolved."  He  said  Mr.  McK.  would 
never  accept  the  call — before  7th  July. 

He  was  solicited  by  Elder  Squier  Pierson,  before 
Synod  met,  to  sign  a  paper  in  favor  of  Mr.  McK.  He 
refused,  and  said  he  would  sign  no  paper — this  was  said 
to  Dr.  F.  A.  Kinch  in  a  conversation  concerning  the 
petition  annexed. 

Mr.  Isaac  H.  Pieison  is  with  the  minority  in  heart. 

EPHRIAM  CLARK,  CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY, 

HENRY  BAKER,  CHARLES  A.  KINCH, 

JOSEPH  CORY,  F.  A.  BAKER, 
F.  R.  BAKER. 

*  Dr.  Kempshall's  instructious  to  Session  regarding  the  qualifications 
of  voters  was  here  also  contrasted  with  his  rulings  at  parish  meeting. 
Witness  Elders  Henry  Baker,  Francis  R.  Baker  and  Joseph  Cory. 


125 

EXHIBIT  V. 

DR.  CRAVEN'S  LETTER  OF  INTERPRETATION. 

Manse  of  the  Thikd  Presbyterian  Church,  ) 
No.  30  Walnut  Street,  Newark,  N.  J.,      ) 

Nov.  7th,  1874. 
C.  B.  Ripley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir:  Your  note  of  yesterday  has  just  been  re- 
ceived. You  ask,  "  Is  the  judgment  of  Synod  in  the 
case  of  the  complaint  of  Dr.  Sheddan  also  the  judgment 
in  No.  3 — the  appeal?  That  is,  does  the  phrase  "sus- 
tain the  complaint  and  the  appeal  "  mean  the  complaint 
in  No.  2  and  the  appeal  in  No.  3  ? 

I  answer,  most  certainly,  Yes.  *  *  *  "Yhe  Com- 
plaint No.  2  and  the  Appeal  No.  3  were  both  sustained, 
and  each  for  the  entire  set  of  reasons  mentioned  in  the 
report  of  the  committee. 

I  remain,  yours  most  respectfully, 

E.  R.  CRAVEN.* 


EXHIBIT  W.  3 

PETITION  OF  HEADS  OF   FAMILIES,  AND 
OTHERS. 

The   following  petition  was  presented   to  the  Presby- 

terial  Commission  in  Nov.,  and  signed  hy  forty-nine 

heads  of  families,  and  man}'  others,  all  members  or 
pewholders,  or  both  : 

To  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  : 

The  undersigned  are  in  favor  of  a  dissolution  of  the 
pastoral   relation    between    Rev.   Alexander    McKelvey   ^ 
and  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Westfield,  N.  J. 

Dated,  Nov.  10th,  1874.  (Here  follow  names.) 

*  Dr.  Craven  was  one  of  the  Committee  on  Minute  at  Synod. 


1 


126 


EXHIBIT  X. 

LETTER    OF    REV.    JAMES    M.    BRUEN, 

(Eeferred  to  ia  Brief  of  James  O.  Clark,  ante,  page  116.) 

IrvIxNGTon,  N.  J.,  July  23,  '74. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Your^  favor  of  the  2ist  reached  me  yesterday.  I 
should  be  most  happy  to  act  with  Dr.  S.  in  the  matter, 
but  I  have  made  arrangements  to  leave  home,  with  my 
wife  and  son  (pastor  of  Summit  Central  Pres.),  on  that 
day,  while  the  moon  is  full,  or  nearly  so,  for  the  ocean, 
and  written  for  rooms.  I  knew  of  the  meeting,  but  de- 
termined not  to  attend,  so  utterly  disapproving  of  the 
whole  thing.  I  wrote  to  Brother  McKelvey,  knowing 
him  so  well  and  so  Ions,-,  statinif  whv  I  voted  as-uinst 
passing  the  call,  and  that  I  should  have  done  the  same 
had  it  been  my  son  or  brother. 

I  would  suggest  Rev.  Mr.  Ketcham,  of  Plainfield,  or 
Rev.  Mr.  Peck,  of  Amboy,  both  of  whom  Vk^ere  equally 
decided  with  me  to  act  with  Dr.  Sheddan. 

I  do  hope  and  trust  the  brother  may  not  be  settled, 
but  proceedings  stayed.  I  am  sure  it  is  unwise  and 
wrong.  Praying  for  God's  guidance  ai>d  the  Master's 
blessing  for  you,  one  and  all,  I  am,  yours  truly, 

JAS.  M.  BRUEN. 

P.  S. — My  brother,  Rev.  E.  B.  Bruen,  of  PhiUi.,  was  on 
at  my  house  the  other  day,  and  he  stated  cases  showing 
the  ei)i7  of  settling  a  man  under  the  circun)Stances  which 
this  call  presents. 


127 

EXHIBIT  Y. 

MRS.  CLARK'S  LETTER. 

(Marked  D.) 

To  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabeth  : 

Reverend  and  dear  Sirs  :  Pardon  my  seeming  bold- 
ness in  tiius  venturing  to  address  so  honorable  and  rev- 
erend a  body  ;  but  the  cause  of  our  dear  church  is  so 
near  my  heait  that  I  cannot  refrain  frotn  adding  my 
voice  to  those  who  have  already  spoken. 

God  in  His  wisdom  has  sent  a  dark  and  heavy  cloud 
over  the  prospects  of  our  beloved  Zion.  If  we  continue 
to  pour  forth  our  prayers  and  entreaties  to  Him,  He 
\v\\\  scatter  the  storm  that  is  impending  over  us,  and 
make  us  once  more  tlie  happy  and  united  people  w^e 
have  been  in  years  past. 

For  more  than  sixteen  years  have  I  been  connected 
with  this  church.  Many  happy  hours  have  been  spent 
in  laboring  with  others  for  its  prosperity,  and  more  holy 
ones  passed  in  prayer  and  praise  within  the  walls  of  this 
edifice,  so  dear  to  us  all  because  eaci]  one  lent  a  helping 
hand  in  rearing  it. 

Our  former  beloved  pastor,  Mr.  Edgar,  was  with  us 
in  every  work.  To  him  we  looked  for  counsel,  sure  of 
his  sympathy.  In  all  things,  whether  in  labor,  in  sor- 
row, or  in  suffering,  his  prayers  were  always  with  us, 
and  for  us.  It  is  orir  most  earnest  prayer  that  God  will 
send  us  such  another  "pastor — one  whom  we  can  esteem, 
respect,  and  love — who  will  indeed  be  our  father,  coun- 
selor, a7id  friend. 

The  one  that  has  been  placed  over  us  seems  not  like 
that  to  us.  Is  it  right  to  continue  him  in  such  a  sacred 
office,  if  we  cannot  ever  respect  and  esteem  him  ? 

As  a  mother,  whose  greatest  desire  is  to  see  her  child- 
ren  brought  in  their  youth   to  confirm  the  vows  made 


12S 


by  their  parents  in  their  infancy,  I  beg  that  you  will 
carefully  and  prayerfully  consiner  the  interests  of  this 
church.  Oh  that  God's  blessing  would  once  more  rest 
upon  us !  His  countenance  is  turned  from  us  ;  and 
while  we  sit  in  the  shadow,  our  hearts  are  filled  with 
grief  and  heaviness.  Our  prayers,  our  hopes,  our  very 
lives  are  consecrated  to  the  well-being  of  our  church? 
and  until  we  can  see  harmony  restored,  we  can  only  sit 
by  as  mourners,  and  pray  that  Grod  will  send  the  light 
upon  our  pathway  once  more.  To  you,  as  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  consecrated  to  the  service  of  our  divine 
Master,  we  appeal  and  look  for  redress  in  this  matter;  and 
may  God  our  Father  grant  you  His  heavenly  wisdom. 

Reverently  yours, 

HANNAH  M.  CLARK. 

Westfield,  Nov.  25th,  1874. 


EXHIBIT  YY. 

TRUSTEES  OF  CHURCH  REFUSE  THE  MINORITY  ACCESS 
TO  CHURCH  BOOKS. 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  Monday,  July  6th,  J  874. 

3  Dr.  F.  a.  Kinch  : 

Dear  Sir:  I  called  on  Mr.  Orren  Piei'son  last  Satur- 
day in  relation  to  the  inclosed  list,*  and  asked  the  priv- 
ilege of  examining  the  pew  account  of  the  trustees, 
stating  to  Mr.  Pierson  that  the  object  of  my  examina- 
tion was  to  obtain  proof  for  the  Presbytery  on  Tuesday 
next.  Mr.  Pierson  admitted  that  ther  books  were  in  his 
possession,  and  that  he  had  especial  charge  of  pew  rent- 

*  List  :— CHARLES  H.  FRENCH, 
EDDIE  E.  FRENCH, 
WILLIAM  C.  TERRY, 

4  WILLIAM  C.  PIERSON, 
RICHARD  CANFIELD, 
CORRA  OSBORN, 
JOHN  H.  LEVERIDGE, 
JAMES  MOFFETT. 


129 


ing  on  behalf  of  the  trustees.  The  books  he  could  not 
exhibit  to  me  at  that  time,  he  said,  as  they  were  locked 
up  in  his  feed-store  (we  were  then  standing  on  the  side- 
walk, in  front  of  the  feed-store).  He  promised  to  sub- 
mit the  books  to  my  inspection  on   Monday,  at  7  a.  m. 

I  called  at  his  feed-store  at  7  a.  m.  this  day,  and  not 
finding  Mr.  Pierson  in,  but  his  store  locked,  drove  to 
his  residence,  and  asked  for  permission  to  inspect  the 
books.  Mr.  Pierson  answered  that,  except  on  the  order 
of  the  trustees,  he  declined  to  grant  my  request.  I 
stated  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  visit  all 
the  tiustees  and  ask  permission,  and  inquiied  if  the 
trustees  had  so  ordered,  or  whether  he  declined  my  ap- 
plication on  his  own  motion.  He  said  he  had  seen  two 
of  the  trustees,  and  they  had  so  directed  him  to  answer 
my  application. 

I  aftei'wards  saw  Mi'.  Connolly,  another  trustee,  who 
said  he  had  no  objections  to  my  inspecting  the  books 
personally.  I  again  saw  Mr.  Pierson,  and  reported. 
He  answered  that  he  declined,  notwithstanding  the  re- 
port from  Mr.  Connolly. 

I  am  informed  Mr.  Connolly  is  President  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees. 

Very  truly, 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY. 

P.  S. — I  will  add  that  I  have  furnished  the  majority 
with  copies  of  our  points,  and  given  them  all  the  infor- 
mation they  desired  as  to  our  puipose  and  action.     R. 

17 


130 


.   EXHIBIT    Z. 

PETITION   OF  MINORITY  (TO   GO   DIRECT  TO 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY),  AND  REASONS. 

• 

To  the  Pre&bytery  of  Elizabeth,  N.  J.  : 

The  minorit}^  of  the  churcli  and  congregation  of  the 
Westfield  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  by  their  representatives 
^  duly  appointed,  hereby  respectfully  petition  and  request 
your  body  to  consent  that  our  appeal,  now  pending,  from 
your  late  action,  to  the  Synod  of  New  Jersey,  be  heard  at 
the  General  Assembly  in  May  next,  by  a  committee  or 
commission,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Assembly  for  that 
purpose. 

We  are  advised  by  those  who  know  the  practice  of 
the  Asseiribly  that  cases  are  sometimes  taken  directly 
from  Presbytery  to  Assembly,  where  good  reasons  for  so 
doing  are  presented. 
8  We  submit  the  following  as  considerations  which  will 
probably  have  weight  with  you  in  disposing  of  this  ap- 
plication : 

Our  case  has  been  once  before  Synod,  and  the  expres- 
sion of  that  body  was  very  decided.  This  was  last 
October,  and  Synod  do  not  meet  again  for  several 
months. 

Our  case  is  one  of  acknowledged  importance  to  all 
inrerested  in  Presbyterianism. 

We  have  reason  to  believe  that  a  second  judgment  of 
4  Synod  will  be  taken  to  the  Assembly  for  review,  and 
the  church  thus  be  kept  in  a  disturbed  state  for  many 
months  to  come. 

The  minority  of  the  church  and  congregation,  appel- 
lants, hereby  tender  their  consent  to  go  directly  to  the 


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General  Assembly  and  abide  by  the  decision  of  a  com- 
mission, to  be  appointed  by  that  body,  as  final. 

We  hereby  ask  Presbytery  for  a  similar  consent  on 
their  part. 

Respectfully, 

CHAUNCEY  B.  RIPLEY,  ^  Commk- 
JOHN  T.  LAWRENCE,  |  tee  of 
DR.  F.  A.  KINCH,  j"    Miiwr- 

JAS.  O.  CLARK.  j     ^ty- 

Westfield,  N.  J.,  April  20th,  1S75. 


EXHIBIT    ZZ. 

REFUSAL  OF  PRESBYTERY. 

Basking  Ridge,  N.  J.,  April  28,  1875. 
C.  B'  Rivley,  Esq. : 

Dear  Sir:  The  resolution  offered  in  Pres.,  and  lost, 
is  transcribed  on  the  other  page.  This  is  all  the  action 
taken  in  your  case  at  our  late  meeting. 

Presbytery  is  to  meet  in  the  lecture-room  of  the 
First  Church,  in  the  city  of  Elizabeth,  on  the  14th  of 
June,  at  10  A.  M. 

Yours  respectfully, 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN. 

{Page  2  of  Dr.  Rankin's  Letter.) 
The  Moderator  presented  to  Presbytery  the  following 
paper,  which  had  been  placed  in  his  hands,  viz.  (your 
petition — which  you  have)  : 

"  Moved,  That  the  request  of  the  above  petition  be 
granted,  and  that  Presbytery  hereby  expresses  its  con- 
sent that  the  case  be  taken  directly  to  the  General 
Assembly." 

This  motion  was  lost. 

The  above  is  a  true  extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Elizabeth,  April  20th,  1875. 

JOHN  C.  RANKIN, 

Stated  Clerk. 


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